Ann Voskamp explores the deep-rooted link among surprise, joy, and humility. [Excerpt from Selections from One Thousand Gifts: Finding Joy in What Really Matters.]
Perhaps there is no way to discover joy but as surprise...
The humble live surprised. The humble live by joy. The humble are the laid-low and bowed ones, the surprised ones with hands open to receive whatever He gives.
He hands them the earth. The earth. [Matthew 5:5]
But is it any wonder? That word humility itself comes from the Latin root humus — the kind of earth that grows good crops. God gives the earth to the humus-people, the humble ones. Humility is that good humus that grows gratitude that yields abundant joy.
In the upside-down kingdom of heaven, down is up and up is down, and those who want to ascend higher must descend lower. To receive God's gifts, to live exalted and joy filled, isn't a function of straining higher, harder, doing more. Receiving God's gifts is a gentle movement of stooping lower.
-Ann Voskamp
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Learn more about the devotional Selections from One Thousand Gifts.
Visit Ann Voskamp's blog at www.aholyexperience.com.
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(Some styling above is a web-exclusive feature not included in text of Selections from One Thousand Gifts. This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer's personal opinions are shared only for information purposes. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)
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