Be More

By LeRoy Lawson

(From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”)

The best advice I ever received? An almost impossible question! When you”ve lived as long as I have, and have sought as much counsel as I have needed, how do you highlight just one bit of advice? I could write a book on the extrabiblical proverbs (from unlicensed, insightful masters of living) that have guided me.

Here”s one that would receive a whole chapter of its own in that book: Be more than you seem. When I”m tempted to boast about this or that achievement or some other source of pride (have I told you about my grandkids?), or have an urge to subtly or not-so-subtly defend my superiority (because other people don”t seem to detect it unless I point it out), I hear the voice of my resident pride police: Be more than you seem. It will not allow me to strut. It makes me suspicious of others who do.

I wish I could remember who taught me this lesson. I owe a debt.

LeRoy Lawson is international consultant with CMF International and professor of Christian ministries at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, Johnson City, Tennessee.