Devotional 3-22-13

Please read Philippians 2:5-11

In this passage, Paul entreats the Christians at Philippi to seek unification in their beliefs (“be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind”) and to consider others above themselves. He further says “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus . . .” -good advice for Christians then and now. The defeatist in me says, however, that this is an impossible goal. Yes, our humanity prevents us from totally possessing the mind of one who was perfect. But look at what we have to deal with today, the voice says. Temptation is everywhere in our world-so many choices, so many distractions, so many things competing for our attention. Our minds become cluttered with concerns about ourselves, things we want, holding on to what we think is ours while those around us suffer, and so many other seemingly important things. There is not enough room (or time for that matter) to have the “same mind” as Jesus.

So, are we hopeless? Thankfully God doesn’t give up on us. We would, however, do well to follow the advice Paul gave to the Philippians about how they could emulate Jesus, especially during this season of Lent when we are invited to examine ourselves and our relationships. Paul noted that Jesus emptied himself, taking on the role of a servant, putting others and their needs ahead of his own. He also humbled himself, displaying obedience to God to the point of dying on the cross.

Emptying ourselves involves getting rid of all the things that vie with God for our attention and focusing more on how we see and can help others, without regard to how it makes us look or what sacrifices we are called to make. Humility similarly requires that we see ourselves as no better than anyone else and that we appreciate that we are all created in God’s image, each having unique gifts and talents. Neither of these is easy, and we cannot make such changes without prayer and effort, but in this season of new beginnings don’t we owe it to ourselves and our creator to try and look at others and ourselves as Jesus would?

Mary Taylor