Humility
by Paul Purdayhttps://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PaulPurdayPaintings?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
The deepening sunset's blazing fire
Painted the canvas sky
This was a show for all to see
I ask the reason why?
So very few beheld that scene
Or cast their vision higher
Too low they looked and therefore missed
The evening's funeral pyre.
A show of beauty lost on most
And poorer they have been
For beauty did not fade away
Because it was not seen.
The sun's rare colours did not end
As at a curtain fall
Required a long sustained applause
By watchers one and all.
It's there for everyone to see
But if we all were blind
Would sunset's colours fall from grace
And say we are unkind?
It shines with glorious rays to tell
How humble it can be
It does not need a crowd response
Only humility.
Exquisite orchids many times
Grow to the world unseen
Their humble beauty disregard
The praise that might have been.
How often we so long for praise
When we are doing well
Our many diverse talents show
This story sad to tell.
False modesty can somehow bring
A cover to our pride
It is a careful subterfuge
But a deceitful guide.
The problem always seems to be
The signpost of our eyes
That wrong direction always will
Bring learning to the wise.
For this is how we learn the way
Our selfish thoughts exist
To hide the possibility
Of all that we have missed.
For when our thoughts engage ourselves
Like magnets they will stay
A lifetimes' training covering
The lonely selfish way.
How much we miss the modest prize
Of putting others first
A benefit so rarely sought
To fill our latent thirst.
If we could only understand
Another holds the sway
A downward path of tender love
This is the only way.
God's Lamb, and endless Love is here
To hold our hearts in place
And lead us on and there to show
The riches of His Grace.
The world's were framed and built by Him
He spans eternity
There is no other higher place
For awesome Deity.
But ever downward was the way
He entered our lost world
To meet the problems of our case
The flag of Grace unfurled.
This Man, in lowliness divine
Washed His disciples feet
The stoop of Grace, the hands of Love
Far from a Heavenly seat.
But even further was the stoop
Man's hatred and his scorn
Brought Jesus low and shamelessly
Offered a crown of thorn.
A cross of wood, the Prince of Life
Was nailed and spit upon
The Lamb of God, bereft of life
The offering of the Son.
The grave completes the downward path
The terminus of death
His enemy's triumphant gaze
Observed His final breath.
But resurrection power dispelled
The working of the foe
Death's sting destroyed; a blast of Light
God's mighty power to show.
Eternal Light compressed in One
Who did not use His power
The Father's glory raised Him up
The wonder of the hour!
A matchless love, a humble life
No war was on His mind
But strength in weakness was His way
His love to heal the blind.
This King, this paragon of Grace
From highest heights became
Lower than all so we can live
And wonder at His Name.
The Name of Jesus, greatest Name
Soon every knee will bow
The greatest stoop, the greatest height
The mighty Victor now!
