Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
“Lewis was a truly modest man. If his books came naturally into our conversation, he would talk about them with the same detachment as in discussing some stranger’s works. But he had no interest as far as I could see in his literary or theological position in the world. One evening this came up rather naturally.
We had been talking about one of our favorite books, Malory’s Morte d’Arthur, and I mentioned how disappointed I sometimes felt when, say, Sir Launcelot went out to deliver a helpless lady from some peril or other. Then, just at the point where you can’t admire him enough for his selflessness, he explains to someone, as though it was the most natural thing in the world, that he is doing it to “win worship” – that is, to increase his reputation. We recognized it as an inheritance from Paganism.
Without intending any embarrassment, I asked Lewis if he was ever aware of the fact that regardless of his intentions, he was “winning worship” from his books. He said in the low, still voice, and with the deepest and most complete humility I’ve ever observed in anyone, “One cannot be too careful not to think of it.” The house, the garden, the whole universe seemed hushed for a moment, and then we began talking again.”
Walter Hooper recounting his conversation with C.S. Lewis in the introduction to The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis, dated 7 March 1980 at Oxford, revised edition (New York: Harper Collins, 1980) 13-14.
In exploring the works of C.S. Lewis for “inheritance” I came upon a pleasant surprise. Hooper’s recollection of this conversation with Lewis is absolutely priceless! It gives us a glimpse into the humble heart of one of the greatest authors of all time, the favorite of many in the modern era, including me.
The inheritance of C.S. Lewis to readers like you and me is not his brilliance or even his books. It’s his complete humility. Lord, make us people who clothe ourselves with complete humility, so that with great care, everything we say and do generously glorifies You! May this be our inheritance to our children and our children’s children!