Humility: What is it?

A good story should inspire us. It illustrates the connections we have within a community of love and support. It gives us goals to work towards. It will help us bear our burdens with more courage. A good story also has heroes which throw their strength behind the cause.

Heroes exist to model behavior which we are supposed to emulate. We feel an outpouring of affection and longing for that one who is willing to sacrifice so much of himself, ostensibly for us. It's always nice to be on the receiving end of the one with the generous spirit. We long for that kind of love to be ours, so the story always emphasizes how the hero does not give to gain anything for himself. But then, it's only a story, isn't it?

What, though, is the motivation behind the hero's actions, altruistic as they might seem to be? Whom does the giver seek to honor? By whose authority and in whose name is the sacrifice made? What is to be gained, by the outflow, for the one surrendering the resources?

If the hero promotes his own goodness, then he is a fraud. If the hero seeks to conquer hearts for his own use, then he is no hero. At best, his glory and brilliance are but a tawdry imitation of the shine of genuine humility, as gilt paint is a cheap copy of the glittering value of real gold.

Force does not create humility. An ego brought low through the beatings administered by life is in a state known as humiliation. Compelling compliance usually doesn't change underlying opinions, for "The man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." A person changing their behavior to avoid pain and confrontation is being dishonest. Such an individual's reasoning will form convoluted paths in order to convince themselves that they do what is right, but when given opportunity, their true loyalties will reassert themselves!

Only the one who has surrendered their banner of self promotion is the one who demonstrates true humility. In truth, only the one who does all for the Savior, as the Savior did all for us, can lay claim to being humble. Only the Savior, who sees and understands all, has that cause worth giving everything to! You'd have a hard time convincing that humble person that his contribution is even worthy of being called humility! He has no need to defend himself for he is convinced by that which he knows is of more value! Humility is valuing the Savior and His will above all else!