Friends in  Low Places

Connect Henri Nouwen and Garth Brooks in one move. With apologies to both, it can be done.

Brooks’ song is of course an ‘in your face’ anthem on behalf of all those looked down upon in our upwardly mobile obsessed society. In a sense it is saying “I’m better than you because you think you’re better than me.” That certainly creates an interesting cycle.

Nouwen’s The Selfless Way of Christ takes that cycle on, but without buying in to the pointless competition. Instead, he writes in praise of those who intentionally choose the path of ‘downward mobility.’ Having friends in low places (and being so located your self) is his aim. He is quite aware of the dangers of Brooks’ theme and points out the danger we face at

the moment we think we are humble, (and) we find ourselves wondering if we are
humbler than our neighbor, and looking around to claim our reward.

Nouwen holds that the path of downward mobility is God’s path, not ours. It is not a race to the bottom with a medal going to the winner and scarlet letters to the other competitors. Rather the path is a paradox. Less is more. Down is up. At least until you regard it as up.

What is Nouwen's point? Knowing how the good man struggled with his wish to live as a humble servant while being a best-selling author and Ivy League professor it is easy to see. At the risk of adding another Kevin Bacon-esque link, let us recall Dizzy Dean (the Hall of Fame pitcher) who once said "if you can do it, it ain't braggin' ". Do your best. Don't believe you're the best (or the worst). Just pull on the same end of the rope as the best.