Humility Hangs Low

This day should not be.

What should be is

air in lungs for eternity

walking and talking

with the Author of days

for eternity

in what should be

but ceased to be

when we usurped the Author

to linger and listen to the Liar

what could be

no—what should be

broken by a bite.

And dusty days began.

Dusty days between dusty days 

leads to this day

the dustiest of days.

I’m one preaching prophet 

telling anyone with ears to hear,

“Your animated spirit will cease

your animated breath will slow

your animated life will labor 

’til your heart

stills and stops

dust to dust.”

Humility hangs low on a day like this. 

If you lean in I’d love to tell you a story.

Our Bible readings will merge and converge

into one coherent hum of humility—of humanity.

If you listen—really listen

the hum of humility and humanity 

will fill your heart

with hope—real hope. 

If you lean in with humble ears to hear.

“Return to the Lord,” the prophet cries.

“Return to me,” the Lord cries.

“How should we come?” we ask.

The prophet cries loud,

“with fasting, weeping and mourning

with humble hearts hung low

with no hope 

unless heaven hangs low.”

“Won’t heaven hate us?” we ask.

“Heaven knows what we’ve done.

Heaven knows what we’ve left undone.

Heaven knows we’re undone—

unclean

unworthy

untouchable

unlovable.”

The prophet speaks,

“Oh, heaven knows.

But do you know the Lord of heaven

and earth? 

Do you? 

Do you think you—little old you

could undue the heart of heaven?

With your unlovable sin? 

He is the Hound of Heaven

slow to anger 

abounding in steadfast love.”

This preacher interjects,

“You’re right.

Holy heaven hates sin.

The Heavenly One won’t hold back disaster forever.

Yet, maybe, just maybe, if you repent

and return to the Lord,

the disaster will not come to you

or to your family, your friends, your neighbors—

if you all return to the Heavenly One.”

You ask, “What then should we do?”

The prophet Joel replies, 

“Sound the bells;

    consecrate a fast;

call a solemn assembly;

    gather the people.

Consecrate the congregation;

    assemble the advanced in age;

gather the children,

    Even the little ones.

Let everyone stop what they’re doing.”

“Invite the ministers

Your many ministers of the Lord 

To weep and say

‘Spare your people, O Lord,

    and make not your humble heritage a reproach,

    a bad word among the nations.

May those yet to meet You not wonder 

Where God is

May they know you’re here—with us.’” 

Guess what the Lord does—always does?

Always says?

He looks at His people, clear focus

clear intention in His eyes and voice, saying, “I take pure pity on your dusty destination

When you return to me. I love you.

You. Are. Mine.” 

Humility hangs low on days like this.

The humility of heaven hung low

really low that day

a baby’s cradled cry 

for creation crying for care.

Heaven heard and the angels sang

for shepherds to tell sheep

“Glory to God in the highest”

peace for those destroyed now dust.

Thirty years went by so fast,

as dusty days are prone to do.

Dusty day after dusty day

until the Carpenter of creation

heard the wild prophet cry,

“Repent—return to the Lord… 

Oh, oh my, here He comes.

No, not me, You baptize me.”

He said “it had to be”—

heaven opens

heaven descends and speaks.

“Love. He is heaven’s love.

Listen when Love speaks.”

And speak He would

sent by the Spirit 

into the dust of the desert

tempted by the Tempter

trounced by trust in the Word.

God’s Word made flesh 

called men made of flesh—

so much flesh—

to follow

to watch

to listen and hear—

hopefully—

the crowds began to gather

curious to hear

a different Word.

“Beware of pridefully practicing 

your good works 

before other people 

in order to be seen by them

applauded by them.

Don’t you know

the applause of heaven is yours

unless you want the reward of their applause 

more than your Heavenly Father’s favor.”

“Also, you know I love the needy.

You’re all needy and greedy for my love.

So when you—a needy one—gives

to another needy one,

do not forget you’re needy

do not forget My applause is enough

do not pridefully sound the bells,

nor throw a party,

as if you—little ol’ needy you—

did something extra.

The hypocrites do this.

Their reward is here—not there”

“I want you to give.

Giving is good for you

yet the Liar whispers pride.

From eyes focused on the right hand

look away—quickly

look to the empty left hand

shh—keep the secret

and forget the good.

It is My good—not yours.

And you—you are mine

and My reward is yours.

This is good

and for your good.”

Humility hangs low on a day like this.

“And when you pray—

I assume you pray—

you must not be like the hypocrites.

They love to stand tall

and pray in church 

and outside of church

but I know their prideful hearts.

They only want the applause of men

their reward gone in a moment

missing the reward of heaven

which is eternal.

This makes me sad

may this not be so for you.” 

“But when you pray—

I assume you pray—

go into your room

shut the door 

and pray to your Father 

who sees in secret

will reward in secret.” 

“And when you fast—

I assume you fast—

do not look gloomy 

like the hypocrites

with disfigured faces 

wanting their fasting

to be seen by others. 

Don’t you get it? 

They have received their reward.”

“But when you fast—

I assume you fast—

look normal

shower and go about your business

as usual

nothing to see here

your Father sees

your Father rewards

that is more than enough.” 

Humility hangs low on a day like this.

“Do not store up treasures on earth.

It’s all going to be gone 

the applause—gone

the stuff—destroyed by dusty moths

the status—stolen by thieves. 

“Let me tell you a much better way

My way

I am the way

the true Treasure from heaven

sent to destroy the dust of the Destroyer.

I am the Treasure from heaven

sent to heal your heart

your prideful heart

and turn it into 

a humble heart

that sees—truly sees.

I am Your Treasure—your only Treasure.” 

Humility hangs low on a day like this. 

Humility hung low

very low

so low for you.

Humility prayed,

“Father forgive them

they are my treasure.

Father, I am your treasure

receive my Spirit.”

Three days down, dead

the humble Treasure 

tossed the way of the dead

until the Treasure spoke,

“Peace be with you

as the Father sent me

I send you.”

The sending Spirit leads.

Humility hangs low on a day like this.

You are dust 

destined to declare to all flesh,

“The favorable time is here

the day of salvation is now

obstacles be gone

all of us are servants of God

our afflictions

hardships

calamities

and infirmities

display our dusty dependence

on God.

We’re becoming more

something more

like Him—not us,

it’s not about us—

purity and patience

Christ-like kindness and love

Holy Spirit filled truth

the very evident power of God.

Through honor and dishonor

through slander and praise

a living and Spirit-breathing dichotomy

strength through weakness

living through dying

pressed but not killed

rich though poor

having nothing—possessing everything.

Humility hangs low on a day like this.

“Hang in there, my friend,”

the prophet speaks.

“Your dusty days will be destroyed

on that Day

when you see Him

face to face

all things new

dust to dust

never again.”

The prophet speaks,

“Hang in there, my friend

this day should not be.

What should be is

air in lungs for eternity

walking and talking

with the Author of days

for eternity

is what will be.”

“Until then

enjoy these dusty days

your Treasure leads the way

from dust to dust.”

Humility hangs low on a day like this.

Amen.

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