Ever been in a cave?

I was in one earlier this year, in Montana.  The Lewis and Clark Caverns.  And it was very cool!  Literally, and figuratively.

There are lots of lessons to be learned in a cave.  Stay with the light.  Stay with your guide.  Watch your head.  Go to the bathroom before you go in.  Don't tick your guide off.  Things like that.

Lewis and Clark Caverns is a pretty primitive tour, meaning the way through was minimally invasive, meaning it was a challenging tour- no elevators, no golf carts, no snack stands.  You get the picture. 

One of the lessons from such a cave is this:  You can't go forward without going low.  Meaning, if you want to progress, there are going to be moments when you simply have to get on your hands and knees, or on your back or belly or butt, because the passage is just to low to walk upright.  If you insist of being upright, you will be left behind.  In caving, they call being left behind "really stupid".

This is similar to my life of following Jesus.  If I want to go forward with him, often I must first go low- that is, humble myself.  It means getting on my knees.  It means asking for help.  It probably means I will get dirty.  It means I can't haughtily march forward and expect everyone to get out of my way.  It means I must be humble, be submitted, be servant.  To God and to all.  Because the last thing I want to be is left behind.  Eternally or even day to day.

And this attitude is not intended to be once-in-a-while, or just for show.  We are to cultivate an attitude of humility at all times.  To watch our head.  To go as low as we need to to move forward with the Lord.

Why?

Because God hates arrogance but loves humility.  It puts God in his right place, and us in ours.  He is the master, and we his servants.  Not the other way around.

Want to go forward with God?  Go low...