In today’s world, humility can seem like a forgotten virtue. In a society that celebrates self-promotion, personal success, and the pursuit of individual goals, the call to humility can feel out of step. Yet, Christian humility is one of the most powerful and transformative virtues in our faith. It is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about thinking of ourselves less, turning our hearts toward God and the needs of others.
At its core, humility is about acknowledging our dependence on God and letting that recognition shape the way we live and serve. It allows us to put God first, recognizing that everything we have is from Him. This selfless attitude is beautifully reflected in films like Greater, The Greatest is the Least, Noble, and The Letter Writer, which all showcase characters who embody humility by choosing to serve others and live for a higher purpose.
Humility: Recognizing Our Dependence on God
Humility begins with recognizing that we are entirely dependent on God. This is a theme we see powerfully in the movie Greater, which tells the inspiring true story of Brandon Burlsworth. Brandon was a young man who, through his relentless faith and work ethic, rose from being an unpromising football player to a star on the University of Arkansas football team. His life was marked by his humility—despite his success, he always kept his focus on God, knowing that his talents were a gift from the Lord. Greater reminds us that true humility is about giving God the glory, even in the midst of personal achievement.
As Jesus said in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Jesus himself modeled this kind of humility, showing us that it is not weakness, but strength rooted in trust and dependence on God. Like Brandon Burlsworth, we are called to live in a way that points others to Christ, recognizing that every good thing comes from Him.
Humility and Service: Following Christ’s Example
One of the most beautiful expressions of humility is serving others. Jesus, the King of kings, washed His disciples’ feet and taught that true greatness is found in serving others, not in being served. This theme comes to life in the film The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story, which portrays the incredible humility and sacrifice of missionary Graham Staines.
The film follows Staines as he selflessly serves a community afflicted by leprosy in India, dedicating his life to helping those whom society had cast aside. Despite facing opposition and danger, Staines remains committed to his mission, embodying Christ’s call to serve “the least of these.” His story teaches us that true humility is about valuing others above ourselves and putting their needs before our own. As Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us, “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Like Staines, when we embrace humility, our hearts are opened to the suffering and needs around us, and we are compelled to act with compassion and love.
Humility in a Broken World: Trusting God's Plan
Humility is also about surrendering our plans and trusting God’s higher purpose, even when life doesn’t make sense. This theme resonates deeply in the movie Noble, based on the true story of Christina Noble. Christina’s life was full of hardship, loss, and suffering, but instead of allowing bitterness or pride to take over, she humbly trusted in God’s plan.
Her deep humility allowed her to see the needs of orphaned and abandoned children in Vietnam and to respond with compassion and courage. She didn’t seek glory for herself, but instead gave her life to serve those who were overlooked and forgotten. Noble reminds us that humility allows us to let go of our need for control, trusting that God is working through us to bring healing and hope to a broken world.
The Peace of Looking Upward and Outward
One of the greatest rewards of humility is the peace that comes from looking outward to others and upward to God. The film The Letter Writer beautifully portrays this truth. In the movie, an elderly man named Sam writes letters of encouragement to complete strangers. When a troubled young girl receives one of these letters, her life begins to change as she learns the value of humility and kindness. Through the unlikely friendship that forms, she begins to look beyond herself, discovering the joy that comes from caring for others and finding her identity in something greater than her own struggles.
The quiet, simple acts of kindness in The Letter Writer show us that humility doesn’t have to be grand or public. It can be as simple as taking the time to encourage someone else, listening with compassion, or offering a helping hand. This shift in focus—from self to others—brings peace and fulfillment that only God can provide.
As we look upward to God and outward to others, we begin to experience the freedom that comes from humility. Instead of constantly striving to promote ourselves, we can rest in the knowledge that our worth comes from God, not from our achievements. We become more concerned with glorifying God and serving others, and in doing so, we find a deeper sense of purpose and peace.
Cultivating Humility in Everyday Life
So how do we cultivate this life of humility in a world that often encourages pride and self-promotion? Here are a few steps we can take:
- Start with gratitude: A humble heart is one that regularly thanks God for His blessings, acknowledging that everything we have is from Him. Like Brandon Burlsworth in Greater, let gratitude be the foundation of your life.
- Serve others: Look for opportunities to serve, whether through small acts of kindness or more significant commitments. As seen in The Least of These, serving others humbles us and draws us closer to Christ.
- Trust God’s plan: Life may not always go as expected, but trust that God is at work, as Christina Noble did in Noble. Humility helps us surrender control and trust His timing.
- Encourage others: Follow the example in The Letter Writer by lifting others up. Humility often starts with encouraging those around us, helping them see their value in God’s eyes.
- Pray for humility: Spend time in prayer, asking God to help you grow in humility. Be open to God’s transformation in your heart.
BE INSPIRED
Embracing Examples of Humility
Humility is a lifelong journey, and films like Greater, The Greatest is the Least, Noble, and The Letter Writer provide powerful examples of how living with humility can transform not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. By following Christ’s example of meekness and service, we can experience a life filled with deeper peace, joy, and purpose.
In a world that often pushes us toward pride and self-promotion, let us choose the path of humility, trusting in the truth that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). As we embrace humility, we can point others to God’s love and grace, serving them with compassion and a Christ-like heart.
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