English comedian, podcast host, and actor, in my opinion most notable for his role of “EB” in the Easter film “Hop”, Russell Brand, gave his life to Jesus Christ earlier this year. He was baptized in the River Thames on April 28th. For some context on the comedian, Russell Brand has been sober for 22 years, after many years struggling with addictions to heroin and alcohol. He has also been vocal about having an eating disorder and having an unhealthy relationship with sex in the past. This is a man who has experienced some of the worst that life has to offer and came out the other side having found Christ. 

A few days ago, I came across a random Instagram reel of Brand discussing the nature of Christianity as it is perceived within the world and how he came to accept Christ in his own life. Curious, I began to watch some of the many interviews Brand has done over the past few months and I noticed key themes he continues to bring up. These three ideas are things we can all – Christians and nonbelievers alike – apply to our own lives so as to live in a more fulfilled and peaceful way. 

1. Practice Humility.  

Perhaps the idea I have heard Brand discuss most: the importance of moving away from self-centeredness. In an interview with podcaster George Janko, Brand discussed how hard it is to move away from false idols, providing the examples of drinking, drugs, pornography, and food addictions. Realizing that having false idols and positioning yourself as the god of your own life is not healing at all are key steps in true growth. While explaining his personal journey, Brand went on to emphasize, “Defibrillating myself into life [I can] use pleasure and use all of these different ways to create my own dominion…” This thought process corrupts the soul, and for Russell Brand, he recognized the truly “Satanic aspect” of that.  Humility means to understand that life is not all about you, to be able to restrain yourself, and to understand your position in relation to God. In the same interview, Russell Brand said that realizing Jesus would have sacrificed Himself even if it was just for you “Softened his heart” and helped him step away from the narcissism that was controlling his life.  

“I have been crucified with Christ. Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who has loved me and given Himself up for me.” 7 Galatians 2:20 

1. Actually read the Bible.  

Many assume that they know what’s inside the Bible without ever having read it. Brand acknowledges this in the George Janko interview and admits he was one of those people who, as he sarcastically put it, “Gets the idea.” He was astonished at the inspiration, warmth, compassion he found in the Bible and particularly in the figure of Paul. I found myself having a similar experience sophomore year of high school when I picked up the Bible for the first time and had my first exposure to Christianity. Brand said that while reading about Paul he was so inspired and fulfilled that he realized that he needs Jesus, that he wants to be like Paul, and that he wants to “Live for this thing. Live in it like you need a revolution.” This quote from Brand was particularly moving for me and makes clear that reading the Bible can make your heart on fire for Jesus.  

1. Pray.  

On August 26, Brand went to speak on social media and relayed a conversation he had with a friend about allowing Christ to knock on the doors of your heart. He paraphrased a quote from an English priest, William Temple, saying: “The more you pray the more coincidences will seem to happen.”  Brand spoke of when his wife gave him a small lock box with wooden doors and a crucifix on the inside as an anniversary gift shortly after having this random conversation. Daily Wire political pundit, Michael Knowles, analyzed Brand’s video on YouTube and noted that the act of praying does not cause coincidences to happen, but that prayer and living a life of faith will allow, “The logic of the universe to become more apparent to you.” He went on to say, “When we receive and cooperate with Grace, we see more clearly the hand of the author of Grace in the world.” I agree with him, and I noticed this with my own conversion to the Catholic faith this past year. I began to start my faith journey by thanking God for all the blessings I had during the chaotic, transitional first weeks of being a college freshman, and I realized that there would be specific coincidences in my everyday life that related to my prayers. This helped strengthen my faith as I was able to see God’s hand so clearly present in my life. Michael Knowles relayed a personal anecdote about his reversion to the faith that had a sort of Russian nesting doll set of coincidences. Prayer helps you see the meaning of things more clearly. Without meaning, life loses its value. 

Russell Brand’s conversion to Christianity is another example of how universal Christianity is, and how God will meet you at where you are to bring you home. In an interview with author Jordan Peterson, Brand was answering how he came about this way of life and said: “Curiously, it wasn’t a choice that I actually made. It was a series of things that unfolded. I was reading about it, learning about Christianity and something really hit me in my heart. Hard; and it has to do with humility, it has to do with loss, suffering.” There is beauty hidden in the pain and God always wants you to find your way to Himself.