I received an unexpected call from a good friend this week. We don’t connect often, but when we do it’s always good (which is what makes him a good friend!) and always leaves me with something to ponder.
In the seasons of life that we go through, it’s not always easy to recognize the gift of a season that is challenging. But when we can express the truth of the difficulty, knowing the listener is not judging but listening—we often learn something about ourselves.
When he asked if I have been writing, I hesitated. Do I admit that I haven’t put a word to paper in months?
“Nope. I haven’t written for a long time. For some reason I have not been able to write. Maybe I’m in a season of listening and learning. Or maybe I’m just not hearing from God right now,” I admit.
At a time when everyone is ‘speaking his or her truth,’ I have been silent.
“I would describe this season as a season of learning more about humility,” I add as a final thought.
“God keeps taking me lower, too,” my friend stated. “And when I wonder how much lower I must go, the answer is always “A little lower.”
John the Baptist says it best when he shares his testimony with his disciples concerning his position compared to that of Jesus:
“A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30 NIV)
Sometimes we must go a little lower— become less. Going lower can be disguised as feeling lonely and insignificant. “Lonely” enables us to be still and listen. “Insignificant” allows us to recognize that Christ is all, and is in all. (Col. 3:11)
Christ teaches us how we are to live our lives for Him. But sometimes we can hear Him better when we are in a low place. In the low position, the noise of the world fades, the clatter of trying to fit in or become something or someone diminishes. Nothing matters except hearing from God. And no words are needed or expected in return. In this secret place, God reminds us who we are and how we are to live. In the low seat, we become better listeners if we are unhurried.
God’s truth, not man’s truth, is revealed in the quiet of the low place. He becomes more significant, fills us with more of Him, and develops within us His nature, which we long for but cannot attain on our own.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:12-15)
How much lower must we go to become more like Christ?
A little lower.
Stay the Course…
Sheila
