“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Philippians 2:3 KJV
I’m meditating on this daily verse sent and attempting to take it all in…
The concept of putting others first is foreign to most people’s natural psyche. We know developmentally that children play alone and believe everything is theirs until we attempt to instill in them that there are others around that they need to be aware and interact. Sit back and observe – the word/phrase, “Mine!” or “It’s mine,” is prominent in their initial conversation.
Even as adults, or at least for me, it is a challenge to consider or be empathetic towards others. I immediately look at how situations affect me. I examine first from my perspective and what consequences I may suffer. It takes constant prayer to view situations and react in a manner which causes the heart to look out for another person. Empathy is often a learned skill. Humility and the act of being humble are learned traits which are intentional responses. Esteeming others before ourselves is not innate.
We must pray to make it a part of our personal practice…
Later in this chapter of scripture Paul states to the church of Phillipi –
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:5-8 KJV
The role of a servant…
I know that the role of servant most often takes on a negative connotation. It is often frowned upon to be of service with no regard for one’s own safety and security. To truly offer ourselves in service to others isn’t always easy and is never ending. It’s difficult not to think, “What about me Lord? What about my feelings? They never go out of their way for me?”
Yes, it is a prayerful thing…
Pray and God will lead you. He’ll lead you when to act and when to hold back. Remember God is a protector too! Please DO NOT take this out of context if in an abusive or toxic relationship.
I can hear Daryl Coley singing 🎶 one of my favorite songs now – “To be like Jesus. To be like Jesus. All I want is to be like Him. So meek and lowly, humble and the lord is holy. All I want, is to be, I want to be…“
https://youtu.be/Y6CcSCtCc-E – Daryl Coley, More Like Jesus
Even though hard, let us strive to think of and consider others first…let us pray continually. 🙏🏾
lifeandgodliness 