Lowly and Meek?

As I mentioned yesterday, in light of the minor detail that I don't have much to say for myself at the moment I thought that I would spend some time dwelling on extracts from Celtic Daily Prayer, the daily office of the Northumbria Community, of which I am a companion.  I have blogged before of the blessing that this daily office has been to me.

"This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all powerful,
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each
who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all powerful."

It's the "lowly and meek yet all powerful" that hit home to me.  Now I know that this version of St Patrick's breastplate is saying that Christ is "lowly and meek" but in the year that I have been saying the office daily the question has been put to me "Caroline, are you willing to be lowly and meek in order to be all powerful?"  Am I willing to forgo prestige, status, recognition and the world's reward?  Am I prepared to be anonymous?

I don't do "lowly and meek" very well.  I'm a larger than life, assertive, enthusiastic and occasionally dominant performer of my life but I don't do lowly and meek well.  And the promise of being "all powerful whilst also being lowly and meek? That's just not how it works in the world is it?

"Caroline, my child, are you willing to be lowly and meek that I may be powerful?" asks my Lord

Daily, I'm trying to answer yes, and I'm nearer now than I was.

And as I type this tears start to sting my eyes, for I consider my workload, consider how poorly I'm working at the moment, worry about my job and the future of the university I work for .. and it's all a little more than I can handle.  I look at the issues I'm tying to get my head round, the aspirations that are pulling me forward, my inability to handle the present demands ..  not promising material, I'm afraid

and I pause ..

"This day be within me..." Lord. Amen

Comments

[Lorna]

I blogged my way through this recently and was so blessed.

re-reading your words and thoughts was a double portion.

tx

[Chris Monroe]

"This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all powerful,
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each
who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all powerful."

This portion has been deeply meaningful to me as well. I desperately need Christ and his character within my life. His lowliness and meekness replacing my pride, and his power replacing my weakness.

btw, I'm enjoying your site!