On the Low Days

Growing up, I remember not having much. Never the nicest clothes, never the nicest shoes, never the nicest anything. My loving mother worked hard to provide all we did have, but as a child, we never quite understood the significance of her sacrifice. Because of that there were many days where I felt low. Days where I felt lower than low because of what we didn’t have. Looking back, those low days cultivated other qualities that I am only now coming to understand fully. While reading Proverbs 11, the scripture spoke to me that there are lessons in being low. Low days can bring:

* God's Wisdom (Proverbs 11:2, below) – Someone who is struggling knows intimately what it feels like to struggle. They have an insight to tough times that is genuine and can possibly understand the situation enough to provide possible solutions for others. They can approach things as God would, empathizing with the person in need while discerning potential obstacles.

* God’s Respect (Psalm 138:6, below) – God’s RESPECT? Wow. Someone who is having a low day, moment, season is respected by God! This is a powerful concept. Respect can mean to be esteemed, but it also means to be considered (www.dictionary.com). God in his glory, looks on those who are low as perfect candidates for His grace and fellowship. His hand stretches out to them, acknowledging his concern and considering them for His provision.

* God’s Reward (Luke 14:10-14, below) – This passage in Luke reminds us that God is not about self-glorification. He doesn’t reward degrees, titles, or resumes. He honors humility. The person who humbly learns from their low times is someone who God can exalt and reward. The person most qualified for a feast from God is not the healthiest, but the hungriest.

All this said, in a twisted way, I am now happy for the things that I DIDN’T have growing up. Those low moments have helped me appreciate every opportunity (or piece of clothing or pair of shoes) I have now. Prayerfully, the low days that I experience today continue to bring the same maturity and growth. Every day will not be a bed of roses (cliché, I know, but true). However, there is a lesson in every high and every low. As creatures with good days and bad days, let’s remember that God's wisdom, respect, and reward come when we learn from our low days.

God, I need to trust You more. I think I do sometimes, but I often only trust You with things that are easy. Please let my faith explode enough to trust You in the low times. The times when all hope seems gone and the fight seems lost. At those low points, I want and need to trust You more. Please forgive me for times I have not done this. Remind me and all of us that there are lessons in the pain we go through. As we mature as Christians, we will see that You respect and reward us when we surrender all to you.

Digging,

j.a.g.

Proverbs 11:2 - When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Psalm 138:6 - Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Luke 14:10-14 ^{- 10}But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. ¹¹For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ¹²Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. ¹³But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: ¹⁴And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

On Finding Nemo (An Example of Hope)

My mother-in-law, Hope, is legally blind. For a while, it has sometimes been difficult for her to travel alone or to experience new things because of this. For the last month, however, she has been in Michigan with a program called LeaderDogs. LeaderDogs pairs dogs with the blind in order to give them increased mobility, independence, and companionship (check them out – www.leaderdog.org). There, she was paired with Nemo, a black Labrador. She was immediately lifted by her new partner and had many ups and a few downs as they got to learn one another. The day after she arrived back to her hometown, she was immediately offered an opportunity to go to Richmond, VA in two weeks. It was as if God was approving of her desire to seek new opportunities in her life. Before attending LeaderDogs, she likely would not have considered such a trip. But now with Nemo, she can travel more confidently and more fully experience the world around her. It felt like a divine reward for her obedience and courage.


Hope’s example has really spoken to me. It has shown me what God can do with those who place their trust in Him and move forward. In life, things are not easy. We don’t always know the way and are constantly bumping our spiritual heads. Yet God does not desire us to be perfect, to never fall, to never trip or stumble. He only desires us to put our faith in Him. That is what Hope has done. She is now not walking by sight, but she is walking by trusting in Nemo and herself. I believe this mirrors a life of faith. One where we don’t simply trust what we see or know (which is limited, narrow, and at times deceiving), but we live by faith (our spiritual guide).


Who then is our Nemo, our spiritual “LeaderDog”? It is the Holy Spirit. God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead and direct us. John 16:13 says "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." The Spirit of truth is God’s answer for all of us who are blind. He is our leader and guide, our compass in the confusion, our light in darkness. What this shows is that the danger in living a life of faith is not in being blind - we are all blind to a degree in this life. The danger is in not believing; not putting your trust in God through the Holy Spirit. Put simply, God can help someone who cannot see, He cannot help someone who cannot believe (John 20:29 below). If you are discouraged that you can’t see how everything is working in life or exactly where you’re headed, trust Hope’s example, trust the Holy Spirit… and keep walking.




Lord, thank You for the testimony of those in our society who are in some way differently-abled. Being blind, deaf, mute, etc. makes no one less of a person. In fact, it may heighten their humanity. Bless them in their lives. There is no way for me to know that experience, but I believe they have the daily opportunity to sense you in a real and personal way. They put their trust in You and in the strength You’ve given to them and they march forward. Lord, please allow us all to be inspired by one another and to live by faith and not by sight. Please close our eyes and open our hearts. Lead us into all truths and a new life of victory. You are our blessed Father, Savior, and Leader. Thank You. Amen.



Blinded by You,
Jeremy









John 20:29 - Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.