Go Lower

What's your latest favorite promotion? Catchy tunes, play-on-word slogans, celebrity endorsements - whatever gets our attention, promotions work. Most naturally, we are in the life-business of self-promotion! We don't have to be trained or encouraged to put ourselves forward as the prime candidate for consideration and attention - it comes quite naturally. What a contrast we see in Scripture and from the life of Jesus: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV). Oh that word "humility" prompts a hey-wait-a-minute moment to consider this life we're living ... well, it's clearly not about me! God says "live in harmony with one another" (Romans 12:16), which is absolutely not possible when everyone is fixed upon themselves. There is One Who knows us best and is able to promote us in the best light: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." (1 Peter 5:6, ESV). In the "Valley of Vision" prayer, the write says, "Let me learn ... that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high." Proverbs 22:4 says "the reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." As followers of Christ, let us choose the way and attitude of humility before God, and let Him exalt (promote) us in His way and His time. Give up to win ... go lower!