DAY 4

LIVING LOW

STEVEN DEMICK, WORSHIP PASTOR, THE WOODS CHURCH

What comes to mind when you hear the words “mountaintop” and “valley”? In Christian circles, we often use these words to describe how we are doing spiritually. If a person feels like they are thriving in their relationship with God, they may say they are standing on a “mountaintop.” If they’re struggling, they might say they’re walking through a “valley” or a “wilderness” season. In the church world, we lean on figurative language to give one another a sense of where we are.

Typically, the higher we go, figuratively speaking, the better the season feels. A mountaintop moment means closeness with God, clarity in calling, or victory over obstacles. A valley season, on the other hand, often feels like confusion, dryness, or distance. But what if God is actually calling us to something different? What if, instead of chasing the high road, He’s inviting us to go low?

Earlier this year, God spoke a phrase to me in prayer: “The lower you are, the further you go.” At first, I didn’t fully understand. But as I prayed into it, He began speaking to me about the root system of a tree. At the beginning of a tree’s life, the roots do not stretch upward toward the sun, they go downward into the soil. That downward movement has to happen before there can be any upward growth. Within just a couple of days, a seed bursts open, and the first thing to emerge is its root, digging vertically down. Downward, then upward. Lower, then higher. That is the order.

In the same way, before we can grow into all that God has called us to, our lives must first be rooted in humility. The deeper our roots of humility, the taller our lives of faith can stand. The hidden strength of the tree is not in the branches or the leaves, it lies in its unseen roots. In order to withstand storms, bear fruit, and endure seasons of drought, the tree must first learn to live low.

This runs counter to the values of our culture. The world preaches “upward and onward.” In the workplace, the expectation is to get the promotion, take on more responsibility, and climb the corporate ladder. Ambition, achievement, and recognition are championed. While responsibility itself is not wrong, and success is not sinful, the posture of elevating self often misses the way of God’s Kingdom.

In scripture, when men and women encountered the presence of God, the response was not to climb, but to bow. When John saw the heavenly vision in Revelation, the elders and angels cast their crowns before the throne, falling to their knees in worship. When Paul met Jesus on the Damascus road, he was struck down and thrown to the ground. When Moses stood before God in the wilderness, he hid his face in the dust. Over and over again, the right response to God’s presence is not to get taller but to go lower.

The Bible doesn’t just give us examples; it gives us commands:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:6

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Humility is not optional for the believer, it is required. It is the doorway to blessing, the soil of holiness, and the character of our King Himself.

But here’s the challenge: humility cannot be manufactured. You can’t just will yourself into being humble. True humility is born in the presence of God. That is why the greatest way to get low, and the only way to stay low, is in the secret place of prayer.

Prayer is where we learn to bow before Him, unseen by others and unmeasured by applause. Prayer is where the noise of ambition fades, and the voice of the Father becomes enough. In hiddenness, there is no stage to perform on, no spotlight to chase, no ladder to climb. There is only the Father’s gaze. And when His eyes are on you, that is the only validation your heart will ever need!

This is the beauty of worship. When we are alone with Him, shut away from the eyes of people, our hearts bend low before His throne. Every crown, every accomplishment, every failure, and every burden is laid down. Pride cannot prosper in the atmosphere of prayer. Inprayer, God silences the lies of comparison and draws us into the reality that our worth and righteousness is found only in Him.

The world may chase platforms and recognition, but the child of God finds joy in being hidden. The unseen place is not wasted, it is where roots grow deep. The soil of prayer is where God develops humility in us. It is where He strengthens us to endure, anchors us when storms come, and prepares us to bear fruit in due season.

So, if you want to live a life of lasting impact in God’s Kingdom, learn to live low. Let your roots sink deep in humility. Bow before Him daily. And most of all, give yourself to prayer. Not for the eyes of others, but for the eyes of your Father.

PRAYER: Lord, today I choose to live low. Instead of elevating myself, chasing man’s approval, or worrying about how others see me, help me to deny myself and follow You. In the secret place, eliminate any traces of pride in my heart. Teach me to delight in being hidden with You, where Your eyes alone are on me. Remind me that Your presence is enough. Purify me and make me holy—not to impress others, but to exalt You to Your rightful place as my King and the Lord of my life. May I always bow low so that You may be exalted in my life. Amen.