The more prominently they are exposed, the more likely their fall.  And the noise of their fall turns heads for miles. 

Necks snap in the direction of the noise.  Eyes widened with joy.  Legs that were poised to spring, explode into action.

Not for the weakness of righteousness,  but because the weakness of man.  So is the imminent crash of greedy desire.

Better to live in a cave in the deepest of woods.  Better to live in the shadow of obscurity.

Better to thrash about with wild animals than to contend among the pride of man.

But who can convince the young and gifted, when so many rise to fame?

The desire to be somebody outweighs common sense and wisdom.  Their attention is fixed on their own name.

And when the one is thrown down from his position, because of some common sin, those who desire his place are the first to attack his throat.

“Devour” waits for the hungry.  He lurks in the grass of the hunting field.

Unseen and crafty, powerful and deftly agile, with eyes that see weakness before it develops.

Mercy lives in obscurity.

As the blessing of God is given to the prayer uttered in a secret place, the mercy of God finds its best deployment among the humble.

“Devour” does not desire the gaunt.  There is no fat in their skin.  The meat on their bones is sparse and tough.  Diligence has spared them great anguish.

Humiliation and humility are brother and sister of the same God.  But one is a servant while the other is of the family.

One goes out to take, the other lives to embrace.

Each man makes his choice of friend at the door of opportunity. 

There is no lock on either door.  Enter as you will.

Those who desire wisdom desire the family of God.  Those who desire precarious folly desire His servant.

So it has been written since the day of Adam.  So it has been established from eternity.  So it will not be removed until the last day of this place of testing.

How can a man tell the difference between the door of humiliation and the door of humility? 

On the one, the knob is dented and loose.  On the one, the wood at the edge is severely worn. 

So many have passed through here that the door shows exceedingly great wear.  Care for the things of others is dismissed among those rush to humiliation.

But the door of humility is pristine.  It is polished to a shine and greatly cared for.

Those who have entered in have used careful fingers.  You would not think it is used at all.

At the door of humiliation is glee and celebration.  The great noise of joy can be heard on the other side.

The door of humility is entered into by those who are unnoticed.  And once inside there is no noise to be heard.

Through the one door is a flat open space.  Through the other, are a myriad of staircase.

It would be better to resign from your place, and walk among the humble, than to climb the stairs of profitability and fame.

But what good are these words to those whose hands are greedy?  It is an easier task to tear loose the prey of a lion, then to rip greed from the hands of the proud.

By His Grace