Integrative Essay

C.S. Lewis once stated that “humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less”. Lewis put significant emphasis on the concept of humility in every aspect of the Christian faith. Humility is what drives every human being to compassion for others before themselves. Through humility, the world becomes a better place to live; a Creation where selfishness is insignificant and love is bountiful. Philippians 2:3-4 states, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi around A.D. 61 to thank them for sending a gift while he was in prison. He also wanted to encourage and strengthen these believers by showing them that true joy comes from Christ alone. Paul saw the importance of surrendering oneself for God’s purpose of bringing others to Him, to live a life of full obedience and love. Although Paul did not have an easy life, he lived a life of humility before God in order to fulfill His calling and by giving God all honor, glory and praise. The importance of being humble is that when we give up our self-interest, we can serve with joy, love and kindness. Throughout many of Lewis’ works, he constantly writes about humility in accordance to the Christian faith. In Learning in War-Time, Lewis stated, “Humility, no less than the appetite, encourages us to concentrate simply on the knowledge or the beauty, not too much concerning ourselves with their ultimate relevance to the vision of God” (Lewis, Learning 3).

In C.S. Lewis’ “Meditation in a Toolshed”, Lewis focused on the idea of looking "at" or "along" a situation in life. He explained that in order to fully understand and relate to someone else, humans need to have a balance between being a part of the situation while also seeing the outside perspective objectively. I believe that humility is the key to this concept because we, as humans, cannot fully understand someone else’s point of view. Lewis states that "a physiologist, for example, can study pain and find out that it 'is' (whatever is means) such and such neural events. But the word pain would have no meaning for him unless he had 'been inside' by actually suffering” (Lewis, Meditation 2). Having compassion and understanding is extremely important when talking to someone is going through a hard time.

In A Grief Observed, Lewis is grieving the loss of his beloved wife Joy. Hurt, confusion, and sadness are evident in his writings as he tries to sort through the many emotions he is feeling. In Chapter 2, Lewis gives a good example of the distinction between looking at or along a situation. “Talk to me about the truth of religion and I’ll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I’ll listen submissively. But don’t come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect you don’t understand” (Lewis, Grief) Many times I find myself in certain situations where I try to give a ton of advice as if I completely understand what the other person is going through. When I am giving advice just by looking at a situation, I usually end up eating my own words. I can give as much advice as possible, but if I do not do so out of love and understanding, then all of my words are rendered meaningless. I believe that the distinguishing characteristic of looking at and along is humility. By coming into a certain situation with complete humility, we can focus on giving the best advice, not from ourselves, but through God’s Word and love. It is important that the relationship between looking at or along a situation is focused on each individual displaying understanding and humility. Colossians 3:12-14 states, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity”.

C.S. Lewis’ “Have No Right to Happiness” focuses on whether or not humans have a right to happiness. Lewis concluded that we indeed have no right to happiness and I agree with him. We, as humans, have no right to anything, let alone happiness. When sin entered the world, we lost all rights to anything because we were captured by our sin. God sent His son, Jesus, to earth in order to have mercy on our lost souls. God sent us grace so that we may follow and spend eternity with Him forever. We have no right to anything. It is only because God sent grace that we can pursue happiness that is rooted in Christ. In Philippians 4:4, God calls us to “rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” I find this extremely humbling; that God allows us joy rooted in Him. If we begin to look at our lives as though we deserve happiness, then pride becomes the center of our mindset. I constantly need to remind myself that I deserve nothing and bask in God’s wonderful mercy and love that he has showered on His children. Lewis also talked about how in times of joy many times we forget God and feel as though we do not need Him. And if we remember to be thankful, then we are welcomed with open arms. And in the hard times, we wonder how God could allow such terrible events to happen to good people who never deserved it. In Matthew, on the cross, Jesus proclaims to His Father, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” We begin to doubt whether or not our God is actually as good as He says He is. It is as though we have the mindset that if we are happy it is because we did something to deserve it. It was because of the money we gave to that charity, or the fact that I showed love to my enemy. What a completely twisted lifestyle that we, as Christians, bask in. Psalm 16:9-11 states, “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made know to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand”. True joy is found in God’s presence alone. I am completely humbled by God’s provisions in my life and I pray that I might live constantly clinging to Him.

Lewis gives a beautiful depiction of true humility at its purest in “The Weight of Glory”. “Perfect humility dispenses with modesty. If God is satisfied with the work, the work may be satisfied with itself” (Lewis, Glory 6). The point of humility is not to belittle oneself, but instead to do everything with the intention of giving it to God for His glory alone. Lewis states, “And that is enough to raise our thoughts to what may happen when the redeemed soul, beyond all hope and nearly beyond belief, learns at last that she has pleased Him whom she was created to please. There will be no room for vanity then” (Lewis, Glory 6). Christians look forward to the day when they can hear God say well done, good and faithful servant. This is not to bring glory to ourselves, but instead, to fulfill the purpose that God had laid before us. By doing so, God will welcome us with open arms because He knows us as His faithful children who clung solely to His will and purpose. I find this depiction of humility to be at its purest form. In the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:34-36,40, Jesus gives an example of how we should be living our lives in humility and purpose for furthering God’s Kingdom here on earth.“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Plantinga also touched on the topic of humility in the chapter on redemption. “Because the mind of Christ includes looking not only to one’s own interests, but also to the interests of others, she prays and works for people who need the grace of Jesus Christ in some obvious way” (Plantinga 96). Humility is modeled after Christ and, by utilizing His characteristics, we are fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. Like the Talmud would follow closely to their Rabbi, as should we follow so closely to Christ that the dust of our Rabbi would be on us. I am completely humbled by the fact that we are a broken mirror reflecting a bit of God’s image to the world around us. I cannot look down or belittle myself because I am an image bearer of Christ, but I do need to give Him all the honor and glory. To show God’s goodness to His broken Creation is what God calls each of us to do; no matter what vocation we happen to be a part of. “He practices humility and trusts that humility is actually a sign of strength. He takes on ‘the form of a servant’ and trusts that this is the kind of life God will vindicate because servanthood is part of the life of heaven” (Plantinga 97).

The most efficient way to bring others to Christ is being clothed in humility and compassion in order to shine God’s light to others. In Matthew 28:19-20, God calls us to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Works Cited

Lewis, C.S. A Grief Observed, 1961.

Lewis, C.S. “Have No Right to Happiness”

Lewis, C.S. “Learning in War-Time.” Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford. 1939. Lecture.

Lewis, C.S. “Meditation in a Toolshed”.

Lewis, C.S. “The Weight of Glory.” Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford. 1942. Lecture.

Plantinga, Cornelius Jr. Engaging God's Word. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdman's Publishing Co. , 2002. Print