“Or do you suppose it is in vain that the scripture says, He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace; therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:5-6 (RSV)
Ke Huy Quan, was a Vietnamese refugee, who came here on a boat with his family in 1979. He lived in poverty, without many things we take for granted. He got a slight break as a child actor with his role in the Indiana Jones movie sequels. After those roles, however, he was never called for any movie roles again. In adulthood he finally got a break, and last year he won an Oscar for best supporting actor in a movie, called “Everything, everywhere all at once.”
I have not seen the movie but I saw an interview with Ke telling his story of being a child refugee. He does not appear to have a Christian faith, but from watching the interview, I realized that there is a basic lesson for all people to learn, about waiting and persevering, even after a series of disappointments. He went from such a humble struggling beginning in life, to finally being a successful Oscar winning actor. He is very tender hearted and teared up many times, telling his story, and I thought about it from a Christian perspective.
God loves to exalt the humble, and He works in a person’s life, hoping they would look to Him and know He is the one who gave them their success. How much more is God willing to exalt those who already believe in Him, when circumstances have brought them to a low place in life ? It seems like those low periods in life are temporary, not permanent, when we persevere in believing. The scripture says that God is jealous for His Spirit which He meant to dwell within us. Once God has exalted someone’s life from a humble circumstance, to a successful one, He is longing for them to receive His Spirit. He wants to dwell with us and in us. We all love the true stories of people who found success after a humble beginning. We can only pray that they will recognize the one who lifted them up beyond their early hardships. God opposes the proud but gives His grace to the humble.
Lord Jesus, you humbled yourself for our sakes, and now you search the earth for humble hearts. Hear our prayers, and as your Spirit dwells in us, teach us humility, lifting us up in your compassionate grace. Amen