The highest exercise of imagination is not to devise what has no existence, but rather to perceive what really exists, though unseen by the outward eye-not creation, but insight.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other and that the taller we grew in Christian character, the more easily we should reach them. I find now that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other and that is not a question of growing taller, but of stooping lower and that we have to go down, always down to get His best ones.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True growth comes not from striving for greatness but through humility and service.
This quote by F.B. Meyer suggests that the gifts of God are not obtained by personal elevation or pride, but through humility and a willingness to serve others. It highlights the importance of approaching life with a lowliness of spirit, where true value and blessings are found in acts of kindness and selflessness, rather than in the pursuit of status or recognition.
Themes
HumilityServiceGiftsChristianityGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a sermon to emphasize the value of humility in faith.
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