Humble

In 1973, Hanna-Barbera released their big screen cartoon production of Charlotte's Web, based off of E.B. White's award-winning book. I fell in love with the movie the day I sat with dozens of children in a theater with its grand velvet curtains and dangling chandeliers, watching the film on a class trip. It was a different time. It was a time when values were basically taught from the same book. To be kind was important. To do your best was everyone's goal. And to be humble was foundational. White's book celebrates Wilbur's humility with Charlotte's crafting of this message in her web. The "miracle" of such an event lends credence to the character of this famous --yet, humble! --pig.

In 1 Samuel 9, we are introduced to Saul, son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. Now, the tribe of Benjamin was the smallest of Israel; they'd been almost completely erased by their own countrymen because of their refusal to side with the rest of Israel against murderers (Judges 19-20). Additionally, Saul's family was one of "the least" of their tribe. Saul had come from humble circumstances. In fact, when he encounters Samuel, who is out looking for the man God would have him anoint as the first king of Israel, Saul is looking for his father's donkeys which have gotten loose. A humble farmer boy, wandering the hills, searching at his father's behest. Saul even balks when Samuel treats him with honor and tells him he is to be king. Who am I? Sounds very humble, doesn't it?

Well, there's something of a difference between being humble of character and humble of circumstance. We see it often. The would-be politician who is out shaking hands and kissing babies, grinding each day on the campaign trail. The people love him (or her) and he wins the election by an overwhelming majority, only to completely "forget where he came from," as they say. Suddenly, he's collecting a big check from the taxpayers but not showing up to vote on their behalf. He's running for greater office and devoting his time to further vain promises and self-promotion; this time winning over a new body of constituents with his Aw-shucks rendition of humility. He was never humble of character, merely humble of circumstance. There is nothing new under the sun.

Saul certainly didn't invent this game, but he's a great example from waaay back. The history continues: Saul obeys, follows the instructions given by God through Samuel for a bit, until he begins to feel superior, confident. After all, he'd been made king, he was in charge, and things were going to happen as he decided. When God whittled down Saul's army that the victory might be God's alone, Saul called a stop to it (1 Samuel 13:1-14). When God gave instructions that the Amalekites and everything they'd touched were to be wiped from the face of the earth, Saul decided otherwise (1 Samuel 15) and tried to buffalo God's prophet (God's proxy) into believing he'd complied. So much for humility.

Scripture calls us to be humble. That humility is such that we may be required to live amidst humble circumstances: chronic sickness, poverty, a lesser social status or even perpetual ridicule from those around us. But it is humility of character that bears those things well; that gives glory to God and feeds a grateful heart; that prays for those who keep us down or who walk in wellness and financial gain. Humility of character is the willingness to accept whatever God gives, in His time, in His way, and counts it all joy. Humility of character is what others might say of us, what others might print in the "miracle" of a banner above our lives; but we cannot say it of ourselves, and we cannot surrender it to our circumstances. Humility of character is crafted by the Holy Spirits in our hearts as we repent and give our lives to His work moment by moment. Even in these very different and trying times.