fancifullove

Very often, the voices that are heard are the ones that speak the loudest. The ones that are brash, enthusiastic, confident, and sure. The voices that take up space.

The voices that suck the air out of the room.

And yet, what does it mean for us, when God says he has a voice that is still and small? That he describes himself as gentle and lowly? Who came not as a warrior, CEO, commander, or politician… but as a humble servant, cloaked in human flesh?

I think it means that God is hidden in plain sight. I think it means he can be overlooked.

Jesus himself was unremarkable in his appearance, with “no beauty or majesty to attract us to him.” He was one held in low esteem; rejected; despised (Isaiah 53). His outer vessel was nothing special, at least to us. We, who have become blind to true beauty, even as it beckons us – humbly asking for a sip of water (John 4:7-10).

One day, I’d like to count up the number of times Jesus goes unrecognized by those he walks with.

I think it means God is never quite what we expect, and that he moves in mysterious ways. Try as we might, we just can’t seem to pin him down. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, his ways higher than our ways.

So, I don’t think there’s a major reason for alarm when we find ourselves confused.

I think it means he sees and understands the small ones. The ones whose voices are not conventionally loud. The ones whose frames are hidden to the world. The ones who stutter when they speak. These are the ones immensely precious to God. The kingdom of God belongs to them – the meek, the gentle, the lowly.

I think it means that if God’s kingdom is truly upside-down, there’s no need to fight for power, prestige, or honor. There’s no need to fight for recognition. Each of us is already seen. And each of us is already known and loved, with ever-increasing intimacy. We have God’s full attention, his unwavering gaze. God will honor the truly humble and the unseen works done only for him.

I think it means we are held, and safe.

I think it means he loves us.

What else on earth could matter?