Get Lower

    Why don’t these changes work? Why can’t my marriage be stronger? Why can’t I be more joyful? Recently, I’ve been reading One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp. This book, besides changing my life for the better, has taught me so many practical ways to be a more thankful and thereby joyful person day by day.  And I have figured something out. Something profound.

    If I want HIM to increase in my life……I must decrease. Seriously. If I want Jesus to be more evident in everything I do, all the people I talk to, how my marriage works, etc., I must decrease in my pride. Though it’s hard to see in myself, I know I have a lot. He must increase, and I must decrease. That means I get, literally, on my hands and knees each day and put my face to the ground. I thank Him for everything I can think of (small and large)—which will increase my joy—and I praise Him for victories BEFORE they happen—which will increase my trust. Then, I humbly accept (with hands open) whatever He chooses to give me. That’s me decreasing. And that’s Him increasing.

This is the o-n-l-y way this life will work.

   What about during the day? In the in between. Those are the times I get lost. Well, when something is said or done that makes me frustrated, I decrease and He increases. If the kids make me a little unsettled, I decrease and He increases. Get down again. Get on the floor. Give Him my thanks and praise. Don’t say anything.  Don’t get easily angered. Submit your arguments. Submit your ability to be right. Decrease. Decrease. 

And when you finally decrease and release, He—will—lift—you—up.