Simply Beautiful
Join me, Amy Keck, each week as I weave the simple wisdom of Scripture with the beauty of poetry. May each reflection be a gentle reminder that faith blooms through time spent in God's word.
Simply Beautiful
Humility Takes Bravery
What does it mean to be truly brave? Is courage exclusively found in dramatic moments of heroism, or might it exist in the quiet surrender to life's most humbling circumstances?
In this deeply personal episode, I explore the paradoxical relationship between bravery and humility through the lens of Scripture and my own family's journey. Beginning with Philippians 4:8's call to focus on whatever is "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable," I share how an unexpected invitation to write poetry led me to profound insights about humility flowing through us rather than from us.
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Thank you for spending this time with me. If this episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who might be uplifted by the message - “like good news shared in due season” (Proverbs 15:23).
For more reflections and gentle encouragement, visit www.amykeck.com.
Welcome to Simply Beautiful Podcast. This is Amy Keck. Thank you for joining me today. The topic today is humility. Philippians 4.8 says Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.
Speaker 1:The very first poem I ever wrote was spurred on by some good friends of mine who were going to showcase local artists' work in a coffee shop. Who were going to showcase local artists' work in a coffee shop. The subject was Father, mother, and the exhibit would run from Mother's Day to Father's Day in 2022. They approached me and asked if I would write two to three poems to put on display, and I was a little perplexed because I was not a poet. But as I contemplated their request and spent time with the Lord on the matter, I formed a poem, then another, then another, then another.
Speaker 1:These poems are not of my own doing. They flow from an overflow of the wonderful and often painful teachings that life has brought to me. I love the words of John Ruskin when he says I believe that the first test of a great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility doubt of his own power, but really great people have a curious feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them, and they see something divine in others and are endlessly, foolishly and incredibly merciful. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to share my words with you. My prayer is that these words will challenge, encourage and equip you to handle whatever life brings your way.
Speaker 1:May Psalm 51, 15 be the praise of my life. It reads so what is humility? You know, there's no greater example of humility than Jesus Christ. Philippians 2 explains it like this you must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, jesus humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on the cross, and died a criminal's death on the cross. No president, no CEO and no king has ever held a higher position than Jesus Christ. Jesus is God.
Speaker 1:Jesus humbled himself by becoming a man. Not only that, but he died the lowest death, a criminal's death. He knew what he had to face and he faced it with bravery. What does it really mean to be brave? Does the first image that comes to mind involve the unforgettable moment when William Wallace in Braveheart lifts his sword and declares you can take our lives, but you will never take our freedom? Does bravery only exist on horseback, while drawing a sword? I don't think so.
Speaker 1:But maybe Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives. He prays Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently. He prayed more fervently and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22, 42-44.
Speaker 1:Jesus Christ submitted to God's plan. He humbled himself to God's plan. He humbled himself. He, who knew no sin, bravely faced the humility of sin. He went to the very depths for me. He went to the very depths for you. He gave up his life for me. He gave up his life for you. He gave his blood for me. He gave his blood for you. He took upon himself your humanity and mine.
Speaker 1:How can you bravely face humility? Most people, including myself, have a difficult time understanding why it takes bravery to face humility. My father inspired the very first poem that I ever wrote. I wrote the poem for the art exhibit that I talked about earlier, and then I gifted it to my father the same year. I remember contemplating the line nobleness is sent forth from you as you brave humbleness. I went back and forth on the word brave. How and when would you need to brave humility? Yet in my heart of hearts I felt it was right. It wasn't until we left Kansas University Medical Center on July 19th of 2022 with my dad's diagnosis of ALS that the line in this poem made total sense. It would take a tremendous amount of bravery to face the inevitable humbleness that ALS would bring. My dad was the bravest person I had ever known, aside from my Lord and Savior, jesus Christ.
Speaker 1:Jesus Christ, though he was God. He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on the cross Philippians 2, 5-8. What challenge, calling obstacle or even privilege, has God placed in front of you. How has he asked you to finish your days? Will you face those days with boldness? Will you face those days with humility? Will you bravely say yes, lord? Yes, whatever it is you have for me, whatever it is, wherever you call me, I give you my all. I submit to you, god. I humble myself before you. I bravely say yes to you. I encourage you to spend some time contemplating how you can humbly and bravely live the life that God has for you. My dad did To the very end. He gave Christ his all. He remained true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable and humble until the very last breath. He was the bravest man I have ever known.
Speaker 1:I'd like to leave you with my very first poem, entitled Father Mine. I hope it encourages you. Today, I'm the one who views in secret the way you truly are, the way you really live your life. Not looking from afar, I see a father full of truth, much different from the rest. Nobleness radiates from you as you. Brave, humbleness, respectable, your earthly ways, too right to be ignored, character that I desire Pervades our family cord. Purity emerges Deriving from your heart, a cleanliness that Christ doth see, a cherished work of art. Lovely are your gentle ways, quite tender is your care, captivating your love for mom, a treasure we both share. You're a man to be admired, esteemed and adored, prized above a million men. For you, I praise the Lord, the most excellent example of Christ's sacrificial love, the way you lay down your life for the ones you love, a Father who's so loving, so gentle and so kind. I'm thankful that our God saw fit to make you Father mine.
