One of the running themes in the Bible is to put others before yourself. Isn’t it so easy to just set aside whatever crisis you’re dealing with to help someone with their own crisis? It comes so naturally, right? – Not really. If you’re anything like me, you’re successful in doing this only on a limited basis and with no consistency whatsoever. That’s part of being human, I take it.
However, God wants us to overcome our natural tendencies in exchange for a better approach to life: His approach. Today’s verse highlights one of these approaches. Imagine living in a world where you didn’t have to think much about your needs because others were already working to meet them. And in turn, you would be working to ensure that the needs of others were being met. This is the biblical principle of servant living. God knows that this way of living is best for us individually and collectively. Unfortunately, our secular world is quite different.
Today, even though we live in a world that is far from ideal, we can still lighten each other’s burdens by using our individual gifts to enrich the lives of those around us through servant living. The principle found in Philippians 2 becomes easier when you utilise your strengths, talents, and abilities for the betterment of others. This was Christ’s way and should be ours.
Not looking to you own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did no consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage. (Philippians 2:4-6)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, please help me to feel Your spirit deep within my heart. Father, help me to feel Your strength behind me, and to choose selflessness over selfishness. God, help me to truly want to show compassion and kindness to others that I know and those that I will never meet. Help me to realize that You love all your children, including those that I may not like, and those whom themselves have chosen the wrong path. Lord please Help me to always keep that in mind and to look for ways to help, not hurt people in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Let’s Reflect
1. What obstacles do you experience daily to putting others first? How do you overcome these?
2. What gifts do you possess that enable you to effectively meet the needs of others?
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Our Location: The Advent Centre, Crawford Place, London, W1H 5JE
Regular Meetings Divine Service: Every Saturday from 11:15 AM
