“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8
There are times I think I have made strides toward living out “What Would Jesus Do.” There are moments when I think the low self-esteem that plagued me all through high school and college and into my twenties (… and thirties and forties) is slowly beginning to change. Gradually as my identity and confidence are found in Christ, I am able to be a little more humble (interesting that confidence must precede humility). There are times like tonight when Chris and I have “intense fellowship” (yes, the four day no-crying streak ended tonight) and the first thought I have is “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5b) and I realize I am finally starting to grow up a little bit in my faith (I really used to deplore when that verse). Yay, me! After almost twenty years of following Jesus I am finally able to see infinitesimal progress in being transformed into His likeness! But then there is that last line in Philippians: “he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross.” I’m out. No matter how long I live and follow Jesus and begin to look even a little like Him, I will never be able to fully understand or comprehend that kind of humility, selflessness and obedience. Or that kind of love.
“Dear God, I cannot wrap my head around that last line. I cannot wrap my head around someone doing that for me because they loved me that much. Thank you for this Holy Week to be reminded. Thank you for this Holy Week to focus on you. Not what you give me, not who you have given me and not what I may or may not be doing “for you,” but just to focus on You. Thank you for a time to force myself to remember that I am a sinner saved by grace. Help me remember every day to try to emulate Jesus’ humility, love and obedience in everything. I won’t even come close but by your grace, help me I pray to at least gradually move up and to the right. In Your precious, holy and life giving Name, Amen.”
