The way up

Humility-a means to an end?

Go low to get high? A paradoxical idea-one of the Word's many.

Truly going low, however, cannot should not be mistaken for merely pretending to be low in an effort to seem high (Oh, I'm way too familiar with this mask). The difference between the two lies in relationship. We only truly go low when we meet someone. This particular person knows the journey from high to low and back to High. He knows the way and wants to show us. We absolutely play a role in our journey to greatness, fullness, and the heights-we are to humble ourselves. It's simple really...When we gain proper perspective-see ourselves as we really are and He as He really is, we become humble. True reflections (honest mirrors) give us the perspective that opens doors of pride leading us somewhere...somewhere incredible.


The door swings open-stairs. But the door said "To the heights." These stairs go down though. I decide to go anyways. As I get further down the stairs it gets darker-different. I can hardly see him, more his silhouette, when I hear him say, "Welcome Jake, I've been waiting." His voice seems familiar yet unknown. "For me?" I think. "Who is this man?" We talk for awhile; I get to know him, talk more, and go even lower. "More stairs? Where are we going?" I wonder but don't ask. 

Time slips away. I am captivated by this man. He's fascinating, funny, friendly, and familiar. I like love being with him. It's like waking from a dream and not being able to distinguish fiction from reality-these moments. From the time I opened the door, walked down stairs, met him, walked down more stairs, and talked with him,  I've somehow forgot what, or even that, I left.

But then...
he pulls back curtains, raises blinds, and shows me. The Viewpoint! 

Light floods the room, illuminating His face. We look together out the window and see beauty like never before. I've glimpsed pieces of this skyline before; haven't I?  "How did He do this?" I remember- I had a "higher" perch before; I gave up so much to come down those stairs; I left some incredible safety and comfort behind. 

It's weird though because as soon as I met Him, I began to forget everything from upstairs. I loved getting to know Him, seeing His story. I lost track of time, my desires changed, my memories faded, and my focus shifted. I found that I didn't care about anything but that moment with Him-He's so great! Then...it happened; He showed me where we'd come. Our viewpoint, now fully lit, showed me Him and revealed to me the Beauty, the landscape, and skyline I'd merely glimpsed before. A viewpoint more incredible than my dreams dared tread to.

I remember. I see it clearly now! I was upstairs. I'd thought I had it all-I had nothing without Him. I'd thought I'd seen beauty-I'd barely glimpsed even a shard of it. I'd thought I was happy-I knew nothing of Joy. I'd though I was high-I hadn't even left the ground. But now...I'll never forget!! Never!