I wish I had much more time to share (will catch up this weekend, Lord willing!), but for now, I'm simply meditating on this, from the Valley of Vision. I pray it is of great encouragement to you this day:
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.
-Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
Tell me...in what ways is the Lord showing you that "the way down is the way up?" How is the way of humility, suffering, waiting, and surrender taking you up higher? There is a paradox to the Christian life and a tension to the now and not yet...but aren't you glad...that the way of our good and gracious God is nothing like ours.
Have a lovely weekend, friends!