He that humbleth himself shall be exalted

This week I read the parable of the wedding feast. Christ observed that when people were invited to wedding feast, they would vie for a place in one of the “chief rooms,” or positions of honor. He counseled them, “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room… but when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room… for whosoever exalteth himself [lifts himself up] shall be abased [brought down]; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-11) To me this teaches the principle that we should not try to look better than we actually are, but that we should be honest about our shortcomings.

I was pondering how often I feel like the people invited to the wedding, trying to take the best spot in the house, and realized it was a lot like how we often try to impress people we admire. As a student hoping to get a good job, it can be tempting to inflate my qualifications to look better to a potential employer. Especially in interviews, I have found myself trying to cover up the gaps in my experience and act more fit for the job than I may in reality be.

I realized that this same principal relates to our relationship with Jesus Christ.

How would we respond in an interview if we knew that the interviewer already knew all of the answers? I think I would be meeker about my weaknesses, and lay them out openly before him. I would ask Him to teach me and fill in the gaps in my experience. I might even ask this all-knowing interviewer what He saw that I could improve, that would make me more fit for his company (or kingdom). I would commit to learning and would set a goal to learn what he had to teach me.

Every night we have the opportunity for a personal interview with our Heavenly Father. How do we use that time? Do we boast to Him of the good we’ve done that he already knows? Or do we reflect on our weaknesses and pray for opportunities to overcome those weaknesses? I hope to improve my prayers by seeking to be taught rather than seeking to be justified.