I was out in the garden picking raspberries in the cool quiet of the early morning. As I gazed up at the highest raspberries reaching for the sky … the thought suddenly struck me: those raspberries way up there are “high and lofty!”
When it comes to life, we are all told that the pinnacle of success in life is to be “at the top.” We must “reach for the sky”!
So … we each dutifully strive to “climb the ladder” and “reach the top.” (corporately, financially, socially, etc. …)
When we are “at the top” (corporately speaking) we are the boss! We can tell everyone else what to do. We have arrived! We have power. We have prestige. We have influence. We have security.
When we are “at the top” (financially speaking) we once again have arrived! Because of our wealth we have power. We have prestige. We have influence. We have security.
When we are “at the top” (religiously speaking) we have “arrived” (religiously). Our “power” comes from how many Bible verses we know, and how fluent we are in debating theology. We have security because we feel like we are “super holy.”
To be honest, people who are “at the top” are not really that much fun to be around. Those who are “high and lofty” tend to be very proud and arrogant.
When it comes to the “high and lofty” raspberries in my garden … the berries are completely unreachable. What is the point of having the biggest and the best berries if the berries can’t be reached and can’t be enjoyed??
It is the same when it comes to life.
What is the point if someone is “at the top” (corporately; financially; socially; etc. …) but that person is completely “unreachable”? It’s impossible to relate to them. It’s impossible to have a conversation with them. They are so “high and lofty” that it’s impossible to be friends with them or have a relationship with them.
Likewise, what is the point if someone is “at the top” (religiously speaking) but that person is similarly “unreachable”? It’s impossible to relate to them (because they are “better than” and “holier than”). It’s impossible to have a conversation with them (because they are always wanting to argue theology). They are so “high and lofty” that they are judgmental, rather than loving and kind.
Raspberries which are “high and lofty” (and unreachable) are basically useless at that point. If the berries can’t be picked, then what does it matter? If the fruit can’t be enjoyed, then it is just wasted. The berries are a loss.
It is the same when it comes to “high and lofty” people.
People who are “high and lofty” (and unreachable) are just like the “unreachable” raspberries. If their “awesomeness” isn’t actually helping anyone in life … then what is the point?? If their “awesomeness” isn’t benefitting and blessing others around them … then it is just wasted. All that “awesomeness” is just a loss.
In order to pick my “high and lofty” raspberries in the garden, I took hold of the raspberry vine and I pulled it down to where I could reach it.
This right here is a picture of humility.
Humility is the crucial, critical key when it comes to “high and lofty.”
There is nothing wrong with raspberries growing tall!
There is nothing wrong with “high and lofty” raspberries reaching for the sky! But the branches must be able to bend low and come down to the level where they are “reachable.”
This exact same thing is true when it comes to life itself. There is nothing wrong with “reaching for the sky”! There is nothing wrong with giving it all we’ve got! There is nothing wrong with “climbing the ladder” and succeeding in our careers and in life.
There is nothing wrong with having wealth.
There is nothing wrong with having power.
There is nothing wrong with having influence and prestige.
But … those who arrive “at the top” must be able to bend low and come down to the level where they are “reachable.”
Humility.
Humility is the crucial, critical key!
