We Are Not Cosmic Accidents

Summary

In this video, Bellamy Schmitz explores the concept of humility as a virtue, contrasting it with the modern misunderstanding of self-contempt. He explains that true humility is acknowledging one's strengths and weaknesses truthfully, and it is rooted in the Christian belief of being made in God's image. Schmitz argues that our dignity comes not from our accomplishments but from our divine identity, which cannot be taken away. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's role in our lives to achieve genuine humility and avoid self-centeredness.

Takeaways

• 😇 Humility was not considered a virtue until the time of Jesus, who transformed it into a virtue through his life and teachings.
• 🙏 The ancient world had a concept of humility, but Christ elevated it to a new level, as described in St. Paul's letter to the Philippians.
• 🤔 Modern misunderstandings of humility often equate it with self-contempt, whereas true humility is about living in the truth of one's strengths and weaknesses.
• 🌟 True humility involves acknowledging one's weaknesses and successes, leading to a truthful self-assessment.
• 💡 Humility is linked to truthfulness; the more humble a person is, the more accurately they assess their abilities and character.
• 🕊️ Our dignity and goodness come from being made in the image of God, not from our accomplishments or failures.
• 🌱 The source of our goodness is not earned or lost through our actions, but is inherent in our identity as children of God.
• 🎭 The song 'This is Me' from 'The Greatest Showman' is used as an example to question where our sense of glory and worth comes from without God.
• 🌌 Humility is not about self-deprecation but about recognizing that we are not the center of the universe; it involves thinking of oneself less.
• 🔍 An overestimation of our own importance and an over preoccupation with ourselves can hinder true humility, which involves recognizing God and others as more significant.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video script is the concept of humility as a virtue, its misinterpretation in modern society, and how it is rooted in the Christian belief of being made in the image and likeness of God.

Why was humility not considered a virtue until Jesus' time according to the script?

Humility was not considered a virtue until Jesus' time because Jesus, as the Son of God, elevated humility by his actions and teachings, setting an example of selflessness and service.

What is the difference between humility and self-contempt as described in the script?

Humility is the willingness to acknowledge and live the truth of oneself, including both strengths and weaknesses, while self-contempt is thinking less of oneself than one actually is, which is a vice and not living in truth.

How does the script explain the importance of understanding the true definition of humility?

The script explains that understanding the true definition of humility is important because it allows for an accurate self-assessment and a truthful living, which is essential for personal growth and spiritual development.

What does the script suggest as the source of our dignity and goodness?

The script suggests that our dignity and goodness come from being made in the image and likeness of God, and not from our accomplishments or abilities.

Why does the script argue that our goodness cannot be taken away by others?

Our goodness cannot be taken away by others because it is not earned by anything we do but is inherent in our identity as beings created in God's image.

What is the role of humility in recognizing our true identity according to the script?

Humility plays a crucial role in recognizing our true identity by acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses truthfully, without overestimating or underestimating ourselves, and understanding that our worth comes from God.

How does the script relate the song 'This is Me' from 'The Greatest Showman' to the concept of humility?

The script relates the song 'This is Me' to humility by questioning where the glory and worth mentioned in the song come from. It argues that without God, the concepts of personal glory and worthiness of love are unfounded.

What are the two main reasons for the crisis in humility as mentioned in the script?

The two main reasons for the crisis in humility mentioned in the script are an overestimation of ourselves and an over preoccupation with ourselves, leading to a distorted view of our importance and abilities.

What does the script suggest as the remedy for an overestimation of ourselves?

The script suggests that the remedy for an overestimation of ourselves is to practice humility by recognizing that there is a God who is greater than us and that we should not put ourselves at the center of everything.

How does the script define true humility?

True humility, as defined in the script, is not thinking less of oneself but thinking of oneself less, recognizing the existence of a greater power (God), and understanding that our worth is not dependent on our achievements or the opinions of others.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 The Essence of Humility

In this paragraph, Bellamy Schmitz discusses the concept of humility as a virtue that was not always recognized until the time of Jesus. He explains that humility is not self-contempt but rather the acknowledgment of one's strengths and weaknesses in truth. Schmitz emphasizes that true humility is living in the truth about oneself, which includes recognizing both successes and failures. He also points out that humility is often misunderstood in modern times, with people confusing it with self-contempt. The paragraph concludes with the idea that humility is about having an accurate assessment of oneself and that our true dignity comes from being made in the image of God, not from our accomplishments or abilities.

05:01

🌟 Humility and the Glory of Humanity

Paragraph 2 delves into the idea that without God, human dignity and goodness are based on nothing substantial. Father Mike argues that it is only through the lens of being created in God's image that one can truly understand humility and the inherent worth of every individual. He challenges the notion that one's worth comes from personal achievements or failures, suggesting instead that it is a divine gift. The paragraph also addresses the overestimation of oneself and the tendency to focus excessively on personal achievements. Father Mike references C.S. Lewis to explain that humility is not thinking less of oneself but rather thinking of oneself less, recognizing that God and others are more important. The paragraph concludes with the idea that true humility allows one to move forward with a clear understanding of one's place in the universe and the love of God.

Keywords

💡Humility

Humility is defined as the quality of being modest and respectful toward others. In the video, it is described as a virtue that was elevated by Jesus, who exemplified it by not grasping at equality with God but instead emptying himself and taking the form of a servant. The video emphasizes that true humility involves acknowledging one's strengths and weaknesses truthfully, rather than self-contempt or self-aggrandizement.

💡Virtue

A virtue is a moral excellence or good quality. In the context of the video, humility is presented as a virtue that was not widely recognized until the time of Jesus. The video suggests that virtues like humility are essential for living a truthful and morally upright life.

💡Self-contempt

Self-contempt refers to a negative view of oneself, often involving feelings of worthlessness or self-hatred. The video contrasts self-contempt with humility, explaining that while self-contempt is a vice, humility is a virtue. Humility involves a truthful assessment of oneself, including both strengths and weaknesses, without devaluing one's worth.

💡Truthfulness

Truthfulness is the quality of being honest and accurate in one's statements and actions. In the video, it is linked to humility as the ability to acknowledge one's true nature, including both successes and failures. The video argues that humility allows for a more accurate self-assessment, which is essential for living in truth.

💡Dignity

Dignity is the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. The video discusses how people often associate dignity with their accomplishments or abilities, but it argues that true dignity comes from being created in the image of God. This inherent dignity is not lost or diminished by one's actions or failures.

💡Identity

Identity refers to the characteristics or qualities that make a person or thing unique. In the video, identity is discussed in relation to one's spiritual nature as a child of God. The video suggests that understanding one's identity as a beloved child of God is key to true humility and self-worth.

💡Goodness

Goodness is the quality of being morally right or virtuous. The video explains that goodness comes from God and is inherent in all people as they are made in God's image. It challenges the idea that goodness is earned or lost based on actions, instead suggesting it is a gift that cannot be taken away.

💡Accomplishments

Accomplishments are achievements or things done successfully. The video points out that while accomplishments can be significant, they should not be the sole source of one's sense of self-worth or dignity. It argues that true dignity comes from one's identity as a child of God, not from external achievements.

💡Surface Gifts

Surface gifts refer to the visible or easily recognized talents and abilities a person possesses. The video contrasts surface gifts with the deeper, spiritual identity of being made in God's image. It suggests that focusing on surface gifts can lead to an inflated sense of self, while true humility comes from recognizing one's deeper spiritual nature.

💡Overestimation

Overestimation is the act of estimating something as being greater than it actually is. The video discusses how people often overestimate their own abilities and the impact of their accomplishments, which can lead to a distorted sense of self-worth. It suggests that humility involves recognizing the limits of one's own gifts and the greater reality of God's role in one's life.

💡Preoccupation

Preoccupation is a state of being excessively concerned or occupied with something. In the video, it is used to describe an unhealthy focus on oneself, which can hinder true humility. The video suggests that humility involves thinking of oneself less and recognizing the greater reality of God and others.

Highlights

Humility was not considered a virtue until Jesus' time.

Christ's humility is exemplified in St. Paul's letter to the Philippians.

Humility is often misunderstood as self-contempt, but it is actually the opposite.

True humility is living in the truth about oneself, acknowledging strengths and weaknesses.

Humility leads to an accurate self-assessment of one's gifts, strengths, weaknesses, and wounds.

Our dignity comes from being created in God's image, not from our accomplishments.

Goodness is not earned or lost; it resides in our identity as children of God.

The song 'This is Me' from The Greatest Showman is critiqued for its self-glorification without God.

Our worthiness of love is not based on our actions but on being made in God's image.

Humility is not thinking less of oneself but thinking of oneself less.

Humility involves recognizing that God and others are more important than oneself.

No one has used all of their gifts to the maximum benefit, indicating an overestimation of ourselves.

Humility is about not putting oneself at the center of the universe.

Father Mike Schmitz emphasizes that humility allows us to move forward in truth.

Humility is a virtue that is not about self-deprecation but about living in the truth of who we are as children of God.

Transcripts

okay try to set it up before I started

to start it earlier couldn't do it so

I'm gonna try it like this and we'll see

how it goes hi my name's Bellamy Schmitz

and this is essentially cents so

humility interesting concept actually

not just concept it's a virtue did you

know that humility wasn't actually

considered a virtue until Jesus is his

time and texture Jesus the Word of God

son of God he made humility into a

virtue now in the ancient world of

course they had a concept of humility

they knew what it was to to UM to be

honest but Christ elevates this I mean

it's even in st. Paul's letter to the

Philippians he said Christ though in the

form of God did not deem equality with

God something to be grasped that but he

emptied himself taking the form of a

slave and exist and Paul goes on to say

or he says earlier this you have the

same mind as Christ this mine of

humility now we don't necessarily in our

modern world understand humility for a

number of reasons one is we

misunderstand the definition of humility

we think sometimes or maybe you don't

but a lot of people around us think that

humility is more like self-contempt you

know know have more self-confidence you

need to believe in yourself humility is

not thinking tempt for yourself in fact

self-contempt is a vice whereas humility

is a virtue like to to to despise

yourself or to think less of yourself

than you actually are that is living a

lie that's believing a lie and humility

true humility is living in the truth

because that's simply what humility is

right humility is the willingness to

acknowledge tell and live the truth of

you what I mean by that is I

acknowledged my weaknesses I acknowledge

my strengths I acknowledge my failures I

acknowledge my successes I am aware of

the truth now here's an interesting

thing the more humble we are necessarily

the more truthful we are because

humility is going to be an accurate

assessment of my gifts my strengths my

weaknesses and my wounds it's gonna be

very very important but this is one of

the reasons why we

don't get humility in our day and age

because we most often associate our

strengths or that our greatest strength

or our the source of our dignity in what

we do right they just go with me on this

we often associate who we are we can be

proud of about ourselves with our

accomplishments with our abilities with

our wins as we define ourselves by our

those surface gifts like we define

ourselves by those surface wins or some

people can be tempted to define

themselves by their surface wounds or

their surface weaknesses neither of

those are accurate our wins might be

good our strengths might be good our

gifts might be good right but that's not

the source of our dignity that's not the

source even of our goodness this is one

of the reasons why the world currently

doesn't understand humility because

again humility being a willingness to

tell the accurate truth and most

accurate truth about ourselves is well

then I look at myself and think to see

all the wheat wounds I see all the

failings I see all where I need people

and I think well then I'm not very good

Christianity says actually here's the

truth your goodness comes from God your

goodness comes from the fact that you've

been made in God's the image and

likeness of God even more so as a

Christian you've been made into a child

of God through Jesus Christ by the power

of the Holy Spirit and the important

thing your goodness wasn't given to you

by any of the human being therefore it

cannot be taken away from you by any

other human being that your goodness

wasn't earned by anything you did

therefore it can't be lost by anything

you do or don't do that your goodness

resides in your identity the depth of

actually who you are as a human being

which is most principally someone made

in God's image or likeness someone who's

been claimed as God's son or daughter to

root your goodness in anything else

makes that goodness fragile that's what

people don't understand humility because

if it comes from anything else just like

well this is Who I am

that's why there's this song in the

musical at the great the greatest

showmen which you might like you might

actually love it I know a lot of people

really really like it the song is called

this is me it's sung by the

woman in the PT Barnum's deal and the

whole thing is you know this is I'm

brave this is proof this is who moment

to be this is me and it's great this

kind of triumphant anthem of like I may

be looked down upon by other people I'm

okay with that because I am me and who I

am is enough there's a line that says

you know we are glorious and I say yeah

it okay I agree with that but I'm gonna

ask you the question where does that

glory come from just because like you

happen to exist without God you're

simply uh I mean no offense but you're

just a collection of cells just

collection of molecules just collection

of atoms and subatomic particles

that's not very glorious regardless of

whether you're a PT Barnum who runs the

whole thing or the person who sweeps up

you know picks up the droppings of the

elephants why are you glorious that's my

question why are you glorious where does

that come from

number two she says that I know that I

deserve your love there's nothing I'm

not worthy of like oh really oh why

again why where does that come from

because that you're you nice that's

really really nice without God you being

you is again just a cosmic accident but

you being you having been made in the

image and likeness of God means oh

you're not simply a cosmic accident

you've been created on purpose for a

purpose for glory to be able to give Him

glory forever

so again deserve your love from you know

worth your love nothing I don't I'm not

deserving of well not just as a

collection of atoms maybe as a son or

daughter of God here's the problem is

when our world eliminates God from the

equation then all of our goodness rests

on essentially nothing a rests on well

did I do good things or did I do bad

things if I did good things I'm good did

bad things bad but we all know ourselves

we know that there are some good things

people see there's a lot of bad things

people don't see so people might say

you're good and you know deep down but I

don't I'm not I choose bad things but if

your goodness if your

dignity doesn't come from what you've

done but comes from what you are made a

guys image a child of God and again that

can't be lost because it doesn't come

from anything you've done and it can't

be taken because it didn't come from

anyone it's only then that we can be

truly humble here's the last thing I

think our crisis and humility as well

comes from two things as well I think

comes from an overestimation of

ourselves and over preoccupation with

ourselves over estimation of ourselves

is like I mean the truth the matter is

no one on this planet is who they could

have been like no one no matter even

like Bill Gates even people who've

accomplished great things no one on this

planet has actually used all of the

gifts that they've been given to the

maximum benefit of humanity or even of

themselves we have this overestimation

but I did one thing with my gift well

done but we have this over estimation of

ourselves and an over preoccupation with

ourselves how am i doing how am i doing

how am i doing that's where I love CS

Lewis my buddy Jack Jack says humility

is not thinking less of yourself again

it's not that self-contempt humility is

not thinking less of yourselves

it's thinking of yourself less it's like

not putting yourself in the center of

the universe or even the center of your

own private universe it's recognizing

there's God who's better than me God was

bigger than me other people were better

than me and that's okay

because he made me he knows me he loves

me and that's all I mean that's the

truth I'm gonna move forward that's in

some ways real humility

anyways hope that made sense if it

didn't well record rerecord the video

then for all of us here doesn't presents

my name is father Mike god bless

[Music]

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