Even though we are in the middle of summer, my thoughts turned to spring, the season of revival. Baseball returns with hopes for our favorite team. Flowers sprout and declare a multicolored renewal of life. Trees regain their leafy splendor. After the cold of winter, we all get to go outside and enjoy the fresh spring breezes.
Revival is good, not only for nature, but also for the soul. Sometimes we just feel low. It could be due to our circumstances, our health, or even our finances. These things outside of our soul can bring us down, but our spirits can also make us lowly. Perhaps we haven’t achieved what we had hoped. Or maybe we have lost our purpose for living.
Jesus understands the lowly spirit. In fact, He said that He is gentle and lowly of spirit. Remember, He faced the same world with all of its problems and obstacles that we face. He understands us and eagerly desires to help and heal us. Isaiah 57:15 says, “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'”
Although He is exalted above all people, powers, and authorities, God chooses to also dwell with the lowly and contrite. He promises to hear us, comfort us, and revive us, even when we are at our lowest point. Those of us who are contrite will recognize His presence and revival when we are down.
Reluctant Retiree 