Episode 418

TODAY’S READING:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6

Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7

rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature of a servant,

    being made in human likeness.

8

And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:1-8

 

Now the reason why I chose this passage today was because a few lines stood out to me. In verse three, it gives me direction when looking at the work ahead of me. At the goals in front of me. It says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, and then in verses 3 and 4 it gives you a second option Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 

Reminds me that if our goals for this life don’t involve others, then it’s something we need to explore further. I was reading a book yesterday, the search for significance. It’s a Christian book, and it reminded me that as we work hard and strive for success, our motives must be challenged. Are we after success to please man, or are we working hard to share the gospel?

 

We all have things we want to achieve, and we have a calling to fulfill. Our calling plays into the larger picture. If it’s a calling, it will bless others. If it doesn’t bless others, it would be a personal achievement.

 

Whatever we do today, let’s commit to doing one thing – let us humble ourselves. Let us be like Christ and become obedient to what we have been called to do. Jesus was obedient and humble. He died on a cross knowing his equality in heaven. He did it for us, and we can do the same for him in reaching and blessing others through our actions. There is so much value in that. 

 

PRAYER

Father God, you have called us all to a life of humility. We humble ourselves, and we are obedient to what you have called us to do. Lord, we are still in the new year mentality, and we know we can take steps each day to further the kingdom. So Lord, bring us to those you want us to connect with. Use us to be a blessing in someone else’s life.