The Sweetness of Humility

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 ESV

The Beauty and the Beast is an unlikely love story that has enthralled generations of theatergoers. The plot is unlike any other romance. While throwing a party, a selfish and prideful prince is visited by an enchantress who is disguised as an old beggar woman. She offers him a rose in exchange for shelter from a storm raging outside the castle. The rose is rejected by the prince and the old woman is commanded to leave. Suddenly, her true form is revealed to the astonishment of the party guests and a curse is cast upon the prince. Due to his prideful and condescending spirit, she turns him into a hideous beast.

However, the Beast is not left without hope. The curse can be lifted when he finds true love, and when that love is reciprocated. As fate would have it a beautiful young girl comes to the castle to rescue her father and is imprisoned by the Beast. The process of their awkward, and sometimes painful courtship is long, but in the end love wins the day as the Beast wins her heart. The tale began on the day his arrogance was revealed. His pride was his downfall. His need was humility.

Humility is the sweet nectar of the soul, and it is by far one of the most charming aspects of human nature. It is both attractive and winsome, and yet, those who exhibit it most are oblivious to its presence. To be proud of how humble we are short circuits the boast. If we have to work at being humble, we are anything but. Meekness is organic, grown from a soul that has forgotten it is in the room. 

A humble spirit puts everyone at ease. In the presence a self-effacing person the battle for king of the hill dissolves. The rush for the chief seat appears pointless. Engaged in a conversation, the humble want to hear your story, they are interested in your life.

In contrast, a prideful spirit sends out an odor both pungent and obnoxious. It instantly repels meaningful conversation and deep relationships. With their nose in the air, the prideful launch across the room to find the important people. They will not rest until their ego is stroked and their rank recognized. Like Prince Adam, in The Beauty and the Beast, they must be the center of attention. An old woman, interrupting their festive gathering, must be cast out into the stormy night.

Proverbs has been described as short sayings drawn from long living. Written mostly by Solomon they are a collection of pithy statements that smack you in the jaw. They have a lot to say regarding humility and pride. “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.” Prov 22:4 Cuts to the bone with ample warning to lead a life bathed in humility.

John R. Mott was chairman of the YMCA and a prominent evangelist of the past century. Given free tickets on the Titanic in 1912, he and his colleague decided to travel on the humbler ship, the SS Lapland. Apparently, the ornate décor and glitzy lifestyle of those sailing on the world’s ‘unsinkable ship’ was not his taste in travel. Upon hearing the news that the Titanic sank, he turned to his friend and commented, “The Good Lord must have more work for us to do.” The reward of his humility, as the Proverb states, was life.