April 28, 2015
The Humble Thing
Philippians 2:5-7
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position...
Jesus did not deserve to serve anyone because of who he is. If a famous person visits your house you clean up and get the good dishes out. If there’s not enough room at the table, the kids eat at the counter. Heck, in colonial days, if a visitor came wandering by they’d get the one spoon and everyone else used a piece of bread for their utensil. Jesus is more than famous and more than company. He deserved mankind’s most generous hospitality when he arrived, and when he didn’t get it, he did not demand it.
What do I demand for myself? When I reflect on what I expect, I should cringe. Being like Jesus, having his attitude, means not demanding what is deserved even when it is genuinely deserved. Give it up. Be humble. I’ve heard my husband counsel other husbands about this, and he puts it this way, “Serve your family. When you get home from work, serve them. And when you get tired of serving, serve some more.” That really puts a kink in the imagery of all tv dads who put slippers on and sit in an easy chair with the paper & a beer when they get home from work.
My Christian counterparts all over the world are experiencing real hardships. Earthquakes in the mountains, executions by the sea, business being destroyed by rioters... Have my personal expectations changed today? The humble thing to do would not be to complain about anything that comes my way but to truly sympathize with them.
Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. (Hebrews 13:3)
A change of perspective changes my heart from one full of entitlement to one of humility. There should be a kink in my imagery of the comfortable American Christian. I won’t demand that these hardships stay away from me but instead pray for strength when it comes. And I will continually pray for those who experience hardships now in order to try and conform my attitude to be like the attitude of Jesus.
Dear God,
The craziness going on in my country and in the whole world right now is overwhelming, shocking, and so out of control. I feel frustrated and powerless to provide any tangible help at all. Voting hasn’t seemed to make a difference, and that is all I currently have at my disposal. So I will pray for you to protect the dear Believers who are being persecuted all over the world. Protect them and their families, and please sustain them in every way. I pray for Baltimore today and that you would send the rioters packing and protect the Believers from all harm. I thank you so much that you provide for those who trust in you no matter where they live. I thank you for providing for me and my family today and pray for boldness and wisdom for the day when trouble strikes my comfortable place. You are great and greatly to be praised, and may I never stop looking to you no matter what happens. I love you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
The Humble Thing
Philippians 2:5-7
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position...
Jesus did not deserve to serve anyone because of who he is. If a famous person visits your house you clean up and get the good dishes out. If there’s not enough room at the table, the kids eat at the counter. Heck, in colonial days, if a visitor came wandering by they’d get the one spoon and everyone else used a piece of bread for their utensil. Jesus is more than famous and more than company. He deserved mankind’s most generous hospitality when he arrived, and when he didn’t get it, he did not demand it.
What do I demand for myself? When I reflect on what I expect, I should cringe. Being like Jesus, having his attitude, means not demanding what is deserved even when it is genuinely deserved. Give it up. Be humble. I’ve heard my husband counsel other husbands about this, and he puts it this way, “Serve your family. When you get home from work, serve them. And when you get tired of serving, serve some more.” That really puts a kink in the imagery of all tv dads who put slippers on and sit in an easy chair with the paper & a beer when they get home from work.
My Christian counterparts all over the world are experiencing real hardships. Earthquakes in the mountains, executions by the sea, business being destroyed by rioters... Have my personal expectations changed today? The humble thing to do would not be to complain about anything that comes my way but to truly sympathize with them.
Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. (Hebrews 13:3)
A change of perspective changes my heart from one full of entitlement to one of humility. There should be a kink in my imagery of the comfortable American Christian. I won’t demand that these hardships stay away from me but instead pray for strength when it comes. And I will continually pray for those who experience hardships now in order to try and conform my attitude to be like the attitude of Jesus.
Dear God,
The craziness going on in my country and in the whole world right now is overwhelming, shocking, and so out of control. I feel frustrated and powerless to provide any tangible help at all. Voting hasn’t seemed to make a difference, and that is all I currently have at my disposal. So I will pray for you to protect the dear Believers who are being persecuted all over the world. Protect them and their families, and please sustain them in every way. I pray for Baltimore today and that you would send the rioters packing and protect the Believers from all harm. I thank you so much that you provide for those who trust in you no matter where they live. I thank you for providing for me and my family today and pray for boldness and wisdom for the day when trouble strikes my comfortable place. You are great and greatly to be praised, and may I never stop looking to you no matter what happens. I love you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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