Rising to the top with Less

Rising to the top with less? Do you think anyone in today's world would believe that? The less-than's demand  more from the more-than's. They don't care how they get it, they just want it, and if there is a group willing to help them achieve their greed, they rejoice and stand at attention; all ears are listening and all eyes are fixed waiting for the details how to accomplish that task.

But their greed is like a sink-hole that sucks them down deeper into the poverty they desire to escape from. Consider the ant ascending a sandy hill, and upon reaching it's summit suddenly loses it's footing and though it tries repeatedly to regain traction, can't, for the ferocity of the alerted sand bug is feeling  and using the vibrations of his prey's endeavors, pulling him down, deeper and deeper into the hole that the ant is trying feverishly to escape; in the end, the ant becomes his meal.

Well, this little story describes, sadly, how devoid of solutions our human reasoning is at it's end,  with similar results not un-like the story of our little ant.  The more we work to attain, the less desired results we gain.
So you ask, how can I stop the downward spiral? Good question! Here is our first clue.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD". Isa 55:8. Well said!  God is informing us, we don't think right thoughts or react correctly. We need His solution; but we don't automatically think his thoughts, so what should we do?  To know what God thinks we must study who God is. This takes time reading God's word, familiarizing ourselves with His ways until it becomes second nature to think His thoughts and respond according to His will.
It's time to change lanes. God is saying, 'learn me'. Be still. Be still in your thinking, stop working your way through the problem, stop talking your way through it, stop rationalizing your way through with familiar steps you have used before...'and start learning me.'  
Proverb 3: 5 -6,  Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
⁶In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (AMPB)

In the book of John, we read a discourse that sounds foolish to most, but is spiritually wise  and unpretentious  in it's simplicity, and unoffensive to those who are truly seeking to succeed. I say unoffensive because the foolish things of God offends those who are considered wise in their own estimation. If you trust in your 'elite' degrees and promising college education and the very familiar saying, "well, it worked in the past...," you'll  truly miss a gold nugget from God's word, that not only will raise you up, but has the potential to keep you up and put you over into a place of success, abundant life and joy in the Holy Ghost!

"...He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."'  (That is the key note.)
'" He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard..."  John 3:29-36.

He must increase and we must decrease! He must become greater and we must become less. His word must be paramount in our life, and our stubborn ways must come to an end if they don't glorify Him. Give God's word first place in your thoughts, by honoring His word above your own reasoning. Humble your opinions and take on God's, learn to agree with His word by saying, 'yes' as you obey it.  Begin walking out God's plan for your life as He reveals it to you through prayer and daily bible reading; and watch yourself rise to the top like cream does in milk; become,'fat' (with anointing; Isa. 10:27 KJV & NIV), separated from the mixture, delightfully rich, and becoming the savoring, 'hmmm',  to discriminating taste buds.

In other words, those who humble themselves ...will be lifted up by God, [James 4:10], and "...ye shall eat the good of the land," Isa 1:19.

Have a blessed day.