The Way Up Is Downनमूना

Brought Low

Maybe it seems like God always has you carrying one cross or another. You put one down just to pick another up.

But what if we have everything we could possibly want in God and refuse to see it?

If we want to be full, open to receiving abundant grace—more human, selfless—first we must be emptied. He must increase, and we must decrease.

God’s riptide is intent on moving us further and further away from the shores of self-centeredness. In the ocean of grace, we cannot cling to our will or the illusions we possess. God intends to make us more real, a less distorted image of him. As we become more like him, we become more human. In turn, we will love him and others with a deeper love. We will become dependent on God to energize us with his life.

But it’s one thing to define emptying ourselves and discuss it in a detached sort of way—to keep it at a safe distance. It’s another thing altogether when God calls us to put it into practice. Over the next few days, we’re going to learn how from the best teacher there is.

Prayer:

God, you sent your Son as a lowly baby, who emptied himself so that he might take away all my sins. I want to remember your love daily and to give my heart to you. Help me learn from your humble servitude. Amen.