Kingdom Opposites

This is my favorite prayer in the Valley of Vision... It's the first one in the book, and rightfully so. It has encouraged me time and time again and it's truth will continue to do so as life throws it's difficulties, sadness, and stretches. I hope you will be built up by it. (Excuse me if I replace the old English with modern).


LORD, HIGH AND HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,
You have brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see you in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold your glory.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up.
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime starts can be seen from the deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter your stars shine;
Let me find your light in my darkness,
your life in my death,
your joy is my sorrow,
your grace in my sin,
your riches in my poverty,
your glory in my valley.