If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. ~C.S. Lewis
In today’s society it’s easy to take credit for our successes when it should go to God. We get too big for our britches and need a good dose of humble pie in order to correct us.
Thor is one of my favorite superhero movies (The Avengers and Captain America are on that list as well... I know, I know... I'm letting my nerd show)… but I digress… In the movie, Thor is banished from Asgard when he threatens the safety of its people. When his father casts him out of Asgard, this is what he says… Thor Odinson... you have betrayed the express command of your king. Through your arrogance and stupidity, you've opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war! You are unworthy of these realms, you're unworthy of your title, you are unworthy... of the love of those you have betrayed! I now take from you your power! In the name of my father and his father before me, I, Odin Allfather, cast you out!
Thor is banished to earth, and with all the same arrogance goes to claim Mjolnir, but fails. Odin “enchants” the hammer: Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of THOR! He fails because of his arrogance, he is still unworthy. As the movie progresses, we see Thor transforming into the man that his father has raised him to become. He has matured and has begun to see the value in humility and true sacrifice. In the end there is a conversation between Thor and his father and Odin declares that he is proud of his son.
We as humans face the same issue with arrogance that Thor does, except we are not banished for our actions… God corrects us because, like Odin, he loves us. Going through a refining process hurts, and just like gold is purified by fire, we face the “fires” of life with humility. We know that it is not our own strength that gets us through, but Gods. When we take credit for things, or people stroke our egos, we can become puffed up and that will lead to our ultimate disgrace, whether on earth or in heaven.
Proverbs 11:2 says: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
While I was watching this movie, I kept wanting someone else to pick up the hammer who was worthy and have the power of Thor. Not because Thor shouldn't have it, but to illustrate the "whosoever" part as opposed to "until Thor figures it out". But I did like this in the movie.
ReplyDeleteThis is very true... I kept thinking that at some point, like in the Sword in the Stone, some kid was going to come to the crater and pull the hammer out... when Loki tried, I even found myself cheering for him, even though he was... well, Loki... I like how you put that... until Thor figures it out... Thanks Kristine:)
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