Not too long ago, a friend and I were engaged in a conversation that somehow managed to snake its way into a discussion about actors we thought were extremely gifted. Character actors with a talent that allow you to immerse yourself in a story—like Robert Duvall, an actor we both agreed fit this definition. As a result of this conversation, that evening I entered his name into the search menu to see if there were any of his movies I had not seen, and in the process I came across a movie entitled Get Low. According to the IMBD website, the descriptor for the movie reads, “A movie spun out of equal parts folk tale, fable, and real-life legend about the mysterious, 1930s Tennessee hermit who famously threw his own rollicking funeral party…while he was still alive.”

Having not really considered the reasoning behind the name of the movie as it began, there is a scene in which Duvall’s character discusses the fact that “he’s about to Get Low.” Having never heard this expression, even as a Tennessean, I continued watching the movie, finding myself immersed in the crazy story. However, later in the week, I discovered myself curious about what he meant by Get Low; and according to the infallible internet, the phrase means “to infer that you have come to the lowest point in your life where up is down and low is death.” Now, I not only had a gist of what Duvall’s character was saying, but also the reasoning for the title of the movie.

Jotting down the phrase in a notebook because I found it interesting enough to possibly return to later, I allowed the phrase Get Low to be lost among those pages until coming across a sentence in the book How Full Is Your Bucket? which reminded me of the movie. Tom Rath shares, “When I was very young, I remember Don saying that we should gather to celebrate all the great things that a person has done while he or she is still around to be part of the celebration.” I, too, find it disheartening that we typically save our most impactful words regarding the significance of someone’s life when they can no longer hear them. Perhaps this is the reason I’ve always enjoyed the idea of a “roast,” where loved ones are able to laugh and share memories with the honoree.

Once again, this past week, my mind returns to this phrase, Get Low, while listening to Levi Lusko’s message from Matthew 18. “What can kids teach us about being grown up? Learn how to unlock your greatness and live upside down in a right side up world.” Point five of this message discusses the fact that sometimes it is necessary for adults to Get Low, to reduce our height in order to become more like our Savior. Lusko paints a picture for us of how Jesus would kneel down to be eye-level with a child, and how He desired that His disciples comprehend that this new way of life they were learning would require servant leadership, the need to Get Low, perhaps even low enough to wash the feet of others. This lowering was the exact opposite of what the disciples, and most of us have a tendency to do. Rather than jockeying for the best positions, to be seated on the right or left of leadership, we should be taking positions of humility, we should be “reducing our elevation” by Getting Low in order to truly be the feet and hands of Jesus with the people around us.

Believing that most parents understand this concept to Get Low with children, to bend down to their level, I am reminded of a comment my friend, Karol, made one time at a baseball game when young ballplayers were allowed to stand on the field next to the professional players before the national anthem. Instead of remaining tall and upright, one player kneeled down to be eye-level with his admiring fan, and she made the comment, “He must have kids!” This one player’s willingness, just like Jesus, demonstrates an understanding that to truly connect with someone, there are times when we will need to Get Low, to be able to look them in the eye, or to serve them from a place of humility. Just like with the disciples, not all the professional players knelt down, and there are many times I, myself, choose to remain upright, thinking more of my position and status than I should.

When have you been challenged to Get Low? Even if physically this is now impossible, can you remember a time when perhaps the Lord was asking you to “reduce your elevation” and it made a lasting impact. Please feel free to share in the comments below.

References:

Lusko, L. (2021, August 14). “Growing Up and Back.” [Audio podcast]. Fresh Life Church. Retrieved from http://www.freshlife.church/messages/message.php?id=1256

Rath, T. & Clifton, D.O. (2004). How full is your bucket? Gallup Press.

Schneider, A. [Director]. (2009). Get Low. [Film]. K5 International.