Not in Word, But in Deed and in Truth

Not in Word, But in Deed and in Truth

The one who is poor in spirit is always lowly in his own eyes. He does not exalt himself; he is not puffed up. Even though he is considered insignificant by others and rejected by people, he sees it all as God’s will and rejoices over being able to bear Jesus’ cross in following the Lamb. It becomes natural for him to go the way of the Lamb; humiliation becomes his nourishment, exaltation his reward.

He loves to do all his work in the hidden and does not receive honor from men. He loves to occupy the lowest place, not because he desires to be more esteemed, but because he thinks that this is precisely the right place for him and that it is suitable for him. He is reserved in his conduct—neither aggressive nor demanding. He loves to give up his advantages and leave them to the others.

He would rather be alone, for all his deepest yearnings are satisfied before God’s face. External thoughts are burdensome to him, for they draw him away from what he loves best; therefore he shakes them off in order to lose himself in the divine.

He does not seek to be anything, whether it is on an earthly or a spiritual level; his only desire is to do God’s will from moment to moment. He does not seek to gain influence with people, yet his entire longing is that people might come under the influence of God. Time is precious to him; he has none to waste; yet he is calm and is never led to do anything in haste. His ear is open to God’s voice, not just to enjoy it in self-satisfaction, but in order to do what he has heard. He sanctifies himself so that others, by his example, can sanctify themselves in truth. He denies himself so that his life may not be an offense to others in any way. He is satisfied with the cross God gives him to bear, and he does not complain when others bother him. He does not draw back in the sufferings, so that after he himself has been tested, he can be of help to others. He is just as happy wherever God puts him—whether it is among the teeming masses or in a solitary place—for in each place he meets his God by doing His will. He places great value on the fact that one should find only the truth where he has been, whether it be in spiritual or in earthly things. His love constrains him to contribute to the others’ good; he feels that he is indebted to everyone; his life evolves as the life of a servant, and he is more than willing to bear the others’ burdens.

Because he is poor in his spirit, he never dreams about great things, but rather expects to look for small things; no work is insignificant, and no one is too small to be served. Everyone is worth his life, and he thinks that all of them have a right to it. Therefore he goes just as willingly to where sorrow prevails as to where joy is bubbling. He lives his life for the purpose of laying it down as a sacrifice. He willingly steps on thorns if only he can thereby refresh the others in their sufferings.