This week we will pack up most of our belongings and head to the coast for a fun-filled week of family time. Now that both of my girls are potty-trained princesses, making the trek down to the water's edge is not nearly as stressful as it used to be. In fact, it is quite pleasant. I look forward to planting my chair directly in the path of the sunshine, shoving my toes in the sand, and basking in the warm glow of that great big fireball in the sky, while my children scoop sand into their buckets (and their bathing suits) and squeal at the roar of the waves.
But this peaceful scene comes at a price.
In order for us to truly enjoy the great outdoors, we must first lather ourselves in sunscreen to protect our precious skin cells from the harsh UV rays. It is not an exciting process. Both of my daughters loathe this ritual and generally try to avoid it. I'm not a fan of it either. However, we cannot jaunt out into the glory of God's creation without this vital step. Why? Because spending an hour or two in the sun without our Banana Boat fortress will most definitely lead to the pain and discomfort of the dreaded sunburn. I neglected to reapply my sunscreen one day during our last trip, and I ended up looking like a lobster for about a week. It doesn't feel good and it doesn't look good. The fifty shades of red on my face, shoulders, and back revealed my mistake.
The same is true of our exposure to the wickedness of this world. The enemy seeks to destroy those who truly desire to follow Christ. He loves to get us so distracted with things that do not matter that we fail to accomplish the task that we have been given - to take the gospel of Jesus to the nations. In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, Paul exhorts the believers to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Eph. 6:11, ESV) Plain ole Coppertone is not going to be able to shield you from the flaming darts of Satan himself. We need to be completely outfitted with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Spirit of God to withstand the enemy attack. We must begin every morning in the Word and place our feet firmly on the stronghold of His saving work. Because when we truly entrust the battle to the Lord, we realize once again that He has already won.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Hide and Seek
My daughters have recently re-discovered the game of hide and seek, but like every other game in their repertoire, they have established their own set of rules and regulations. They generally do not ask their mama to play the game with them (probably because I find such incredibly good hiding spots that it takes them way too much time to find me...I've always been an over-achiever), so usually I get to sit back and listen to them play the game themselves. The perfectionist/teacher in me cringes when it's Caroline's turn to count and she skips from 19 straight to 100, although she says it with such flair that it's hard not to crack a smile. But my major frustration with their approach to the game is that they leave one very important component out - the HIDING part.
I hear Caroline begin the countdown in her bedroom as Eden races through the house to find her "hiding" spot. As Caroline continues to list each number, Eden scurries under the table in the dining room and waits impatiently for her sister to find her. Caroline yells, "Ready or not...here I come!" This should signal the beginning of a rousing little girl hunt. But instead of remaining in stealth mode, Eden proceeds to holler, "I'm in the dining room!! Under the table!!" Caroline squeals and runs as fast as her little legs will take her to the exact spot where Eden is waiting. They scream and giggle and then switch roles so that Eden can count and Caroline can hide. But before Eden begins counting, she instructs her sometimes submissive sibling to hide in the closet so she can easily find her when her countdown is complete. And the madness cycles through once again. As someone who highly values playing by the rules, the whole process drives me slightly crazy (it's a very short trip over the edge), but it definitely works for them.
I am so thankful that God is not in the business of playing hide and seek. He wants to be found. He longs to be seen and discovered. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." His creation shouts forth with His praise. As a matter of fact, in the book of Romans, Paul says, "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Rom. 1:19-20) Not only has God removed all the guesswork from the equation when pondering His existence, those who choose to ignore or completely reject Him are "without excuse."
What does that mean for you and me? As believers, this means that taking the gospel to the lost is more important than we ever dared to imagine. Because even if they have never heard the truth about Christ and His saving grace, they will still face an eternity in hell if they do not know Jesus when they pass from this life into the next. Why? Creation consistently heralds the reality of her Creator. So we need to make the most of every opportunity that the Lord gives us to share the salvation that we have in our Savior. God is not hiding...and we shouldn't either.
I am so thankful that God is not in the business of playing hide and seek. He wants to be found. He longs to be seen and discovered. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." His creation shouts forth with His praise. As a matter of fact, in the book of Romans, Paul says, "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Rom. 1:19-20) Not only has God removed all the guesswork from the equation when pondering His existence, those who choose to ignore or completely reject Him are "without excuse."
What does that mean for you and me? As believers, this means that taking the gospel to the lost is more important than we ever dared to imagine. Because even if they have never heard the truth about Christ and His saving grace, they will still face an eternity in hell if they do not know Jesus when they pass from this life into the next. Why? Creation consistently heralds the reality of her Creator. So we need to make the most of every opportunity that the Lord gives us to share the salvation that we have in our Savior. God is not hiding...and we shouldn't either.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Fear Factor
I am the original scaredy-cat. My list of fears grows daily. I'm afraid of most bugs, especially the jumpy kind. At night, I get scared that someone is hiding under the bed. I'm not a huge fan of the dark. Please don't ever tell me a ghost story because I will end up with goose bumps for days. I do not like scary movies. I don't even like scary commercials. As a matter of fact, one of the last times my husband and I went to the movies, they showed a preview for a scary movie, and Jason graciously told me to cover my eyes before I could see anything. I proceeded to cover my ears as well, and I hummed to myself until he told me the coast was clear. There are so many things that rally my "fight or flight" response that I wouldn't dare to inventory them all here.
While you might think that my catalog of cowardice is somewhat silly, the truth is that we all struggle with fear in some way, shape, or form. You might not flinch when a spider the size of your fist scampers across the floor or break out in a cold sweat when you hear a mysterious sound in the middle of the night, but you feel your heart skip into an irregular rhythm when they start handing out the pink slips at work. You might be able to stomach the latest horror film, but the thought of your teenager driving recklessly around town gives you a major case of insomnia. Fear is common to mankind.
In those moments when fear grips me like a boa constrictor (something else I'm terrified of, by the way), I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit who faithfully whispers the truth of God's Word to my rapidly beating heart. Scripture reaches deep to the center of our beings and cuts through the thickest fog of distress and despair. One verse that continues to bring soothing solace in the frazzled places of my soul is Isaiah 41:10. In this power-packed passage, the God of the universe proclaims, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (ESV)
Meditate on that for a moment. The God who flung the stars into space and causes the waves of the sea to ebb and flow knows your name and is familiar with every stressful thought you have each day. The Father who created daffodils and koala bears and dark chocolate and laughter goes before you and upholds you with His righteous right hand. He is WITH you. And He has promised to strengthen you and help you. Why do we waste time being afraid when we have Him attentively watching over us?
Lord, forgive me for fretting over my fears instead of focusing on Your unending ability to protect and provide for me. Thank you for being strong where I am so weak.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Ticket to Ride
We recently made our fourth trek to the magical world of Disney, and I am still a little dazed by all the pixie dust. While some might find the crowds of people and miles of walking a source of great annoyance, I am quite exhilarated with it all. (I'm also one of those crazy people who actually enjoys getting out and doing a little last minute shopping on Christmas Eve. Go figure.) My family adores all the sights and sounds (and smells and tastes!) that can be discovered at Mickey's wonderland. Oh, how we love to swim with Nemo, bounce with Tigger, sail on the Jungle Cruise, and shoot targets with Woody and Buzz. And then there's all the beautiful princesses that we get to meet and admire (mostly from afar...my girls get a little shy when faced with the real-life beauties). Just writing about it makes me want to go back. And possibly live there. Preferably in Cinderella's castle.
Our Disney week officially began bright and early Monday morning with the hustle and bustle of filling bags with snacks and water bottles, slathering sunscreen on every inch of exposed skin, and securely fastening our little Disney darlings into their Minnie Mouse strollers. We began our ten minute walk to the front gate of the Magic Kingdom with a sense of excitement and anticipation of all that the day would hold. As we joined people from all over the world and waited our turn to have our bags inspected by the friendly park authorities, my husband made a startling discovery. Something was missing from his Disney Dad lanyard.
And that something was my ticket.
No matter how many times he scrolled through his stack of cards, my ticket did not magically appear. So I immediately raced back to the hotel to procure the desired item. (Mainly because I am the "finder" in my sweet little family...if something goes missing, the Lord has gifted me with some sort of mommy radar that can track down anything from car keys to sippy cups to Barbie shoes.) I walked in the room, found my ticket, huffed and puffed back to the front gate, and waltzed through the turnstile.
The cold, hard fact is that I could not enter the most magical place on Earth without a ticket. Mickey doesn't care how many Disney princess songs I can sing on cue. He doesn't care how much I've spent on countless Disney movies that we watch over and over and over. In order to gain entrance to his world, I must purchase a ticket. I can't walk in using my husband's ticket or my daughter's ticket. I must have my own.
The same is true of heaven. When we pass from this life into the next, we do not automatically gain entrance into eternal life with the King of kings. We can't sweet talk our way through the pearly gates with a long list of all the wonderful things we did right. We can't coast in on the merits of our godly heritage. All roads do not lead to heaven. Jesus boldly declares in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (ESV) A price must be paid for you to have access to the perfection of paradise. But here's the catch.
YOU can't buy it. It's already paid in full.
Jesus purchased your redemption on a cruel cross. He didn't have the luxury of simply walking up to a ticket booth or finding a website with a great deal on admission. He was torn and beaten, spat upon and jeered at, pierced and judged...for crimes that He never committed. He bore the weight of my sin and your sin, and He endured unfathomable pain and anguish so that you and I could spend forever with the Lord of all creation. All we have to do is reach out and accept it.
So the question is...have you accepted the gift of salvation that Christ extends to you today? And if so, are you sharing His gift with those who have never heard?
And that something was my ticket.
No matter how many times he scrolled through his stack of cards, my ticket did not magically appear. So I immediately raced back to the hotel to procure the desired item. (Mainly because I am the "finder" in my sweet little family...if something goes missing, the Lord has gifted me with some sort of mommy radar that can track down anything from car keys to sippy cups to Barbie shoes.) I walked in the room, found my ticket, huffed and puffed back to the front gate, and waltzed through the turnstile.
The cold, hard fact is that I could not enter the most magical place on Earth without a ticket. Mickey doesn't care how many Disney princess songs I can sing on cue. He doesn't care how much I've spent on countless Disney movies that we watch over and over and over. In order to gain entrance to his world, I must purchase a ticket. I can't walk in using my husband's ticket or my daughter's ticket. I must have my own.
The same is true of heaven. When we pass from this life into the next, we do not automatically gain entrance into eternal life with the King of kings. We can't sweet talk our way through the pearly gates with a long list of all the wonderful things we did right. We can't coast in on the merits of our godly heritage. All roads do not lead to heaven. Jesus boldly declares in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (ESV) A price must be paid for you to have access to the perfection of paradise. But here's the catch.
YOU can't buy it. It's already paid in full.
Jesus purchased your redemption on a cruel cross. He didn't have the luxury of simply walking up to a ticket booth or finding a website with a great deal on admission. He was torn and beaten, spat upon and jeered at, pierced and judged...for crimes that He never committed. He bore the weight of my sin and your sin, and He endured unfathomable pain and anguish so that you and I could spend forever with the Lord of all creation. All we have to do is reach out and accept it.
So the question is...have you accepted the gift of salvation that Christ extends to you today? And if so, are you sharing His gift with those who have never heard?
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Responses to the Redeemer
I love Christmas. It is my most favorite time of year. The glow of the Christmas tree. The smell of hot cocoa and my new cinnamon candle. The wonderful harmonies of The Messiah flowing through my home. The warm, snuggly scarves and sweaters. My two little girls running through the house in their Christmas pajamas and asking repeatedly with much anticipation, "Is it Christmas, yet??" I love it all. I even love the hustle and bustle of shopping for just the right gift. Tis the season.
But if I'm not very careful, I will allow all of these charming sights and smells and sounds to lure me away from the true meaning of this yearly celebration. Christmas is not about going to parties and putting up decorations and finding the perfect present at the best price. As we enter this time of year, we rejoice in the fact that God sent His one and only Son to earth as a baby, in order to live a sinless life and become the perfect sacrifice on our behalf.
Nestled within the account of Jesus' birth in the book of Matthew is the story of the Magi. In Matthew 2:1-12, we are told that these wise men came from the east, asking about the new infant king of the Jews. They saw His star and they wanted to see Him with their own eyes. As they searched for the child, they encountered others that did not seem to share their excitement about this bundle of true joy.
The Magi went to Jerusalem, assuming that the royal descendant would certainly be found there. When King Herod heard of their inquiries, he was immediately troubled by this information. (Matt. 2:3) You see, Herod was both cruel and paranoid. He was so determined to hold on to his crown that he was willing to kill his wives and sons because he was terrified that they would overthrow him. Scripture says that "all of Jerusalem" shared in his distress, for the people were aware of his brutality and they were mostly likely afraid that he would make them bear the brunt of his anger. The truth is that Herod didn't want to worship the Christ child. He wanted to kill Him. Herod responded to the birth of Christ with animosity. There are those today who also respond to Christ with hate-filled hearts. They desire to destroy any and all worship of the one true God. It is becoming increasingly more dangerous to share Christ with this lost and dying world. We must be bold to proclaim the truth.
In the story of the Magi, we also come into contact with the chief priests and scribes. The chief priests and scribes, along with the other lay elders, made up the Sanhedrin, which was the central Jewish authority under Herod's rule. These were the men that knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet seemed to pay little attention to the Magi and their quest to see the newborn king. Instead of searching alongside the wise men, they fade into the background of the story. The chief priests and scribes responded to the birth of Christ with apathy. Many in our culture have an attitude of indifference about the birth of Christ. Christmas is more about toys and food than about celebrating the Savior. We must focus our minds on Christ and not allow our hearts to be divided.
The Magi followed the star and found "the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him." (Matt. 2:11) These Gentiles, who were considered separate from God, exhibited an openness and a reverence toward Jesus that His own people had not embraced. The Magi presented three gifts to the Christ child - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Some say that the gold represented His royalty, the frankincense represented His divinity, and the myrrh represented His death and burial. The wise men responded to the birth of Christ with adoration. As believers, this season should draw us closer to the heart of God as we remember all that He has done for us through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must offer Him our praise and rejoice in His great love and kindness toward us.
What is your response to Christ this Christmas? Does the season awaken feelings of animosity, apathy, or adoration in your heart? I want to challenge you to truly worship Christ this Christmas and seek to find ways to share the gospel with those around you who may have never heard.
But if I'm not very careful, I will allow all of these charming sights and smells and sounds to lure me away from the true meaning of this yearly celebration. Christmas is not about going to parties and putting up decorations and finding the perfect present at the best price. As we enter this time of year, we rejoice in the fact that God sent His one and only Son to earth as a baby, in order to live a sinless life and become the perfect sacrifice on our behalf.
Nestled within the account of Jesus' birth in the book of Matthew is the story of the Magi. In Matthew 2:1-12, we are told that these wise men came from the east, asking about the new infant king of the Jews. They saw His star and they wanted to see Him with their own eyes. As they searched for the child, they encountered others that did not seem to share their excitement about this bundle of true joy.
The Magi went to Jerusalem, assuming that the royal descendant would certainly be found there. When King Herod heard of their inquiries, he was immediately troubled by this information. (Matt. 2:3) You see, Herod was both cruel and paranoid. He was so determined to hold on to his crown that he was willing to kill his wives and sons because he was terrified that they would overthrow him. Scripture says that "all of Jerusalem" shared in his distress, for the people were aware of his brutality and they were mostly likely afraid that he would make them bear the brunt of his anger. The truth is that Herod didn't want to worship the Christ child. He wanted to kill Him. Herod responded to the birth of Christ with animosity. There are those today who also respond to Christ with hate-filled hearts. They desire to destroy any and all worship of the one true God. It is becoming increasingly more dangerous to share Christ with this lost and dying world. We must be bold to proclaim the truth.
In the story of the Magi, we also come into contact with the chief priests and scribes. The chief priests and scribes, along with the other lay elders, made up the Sanhedrin, which was the central Jewish authority under Herod's rule. These were the men that knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet seemed to pay little attention to the Magi and their quest to see the newborn king. Instead of searching alongside the wise men, they fade into the background of the story. The chief priests and scribes responded to the birth of Christ with apathy. Many in our culture have an attitude of indifference about the birth of Christ. Christmas is more about toys and food than about celebrating the Savior. We must focus our minds on Christ and not allow our hearts to be divided.
The Magi followed the star and found "the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him." (Matt. 2:11) These Gentiles, who were considered separate from God, exhibited an openness and a reverence toward Jesus that His own people had not embraced. The Magi presented three gifts to the Christ child - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Some say that the gold represented His royalty, the frankincense represented His divinity, and the myrrh represented His death and burial. The wise men responded to the birth of Christ with adoration. As believers, this season should draw us closer to the heart of God as we remember all that He has done for us through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must offer Him our praise and rejoice in His great love and kindness toward us.
What is your response to Christ this Christmas? Does the season awaken feelings of animosity, apathy, or adoration in your heart? I want to challenge you to truly worship Christ this Christmas and seek to find ways to share the gospel with those around you who may have never heard.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
The Wonder Years
I spent most of the summer dreading August 20th. I worried over it and wept in light of it. I pondered my various options and prayed like never before. I second-guessed myself and struggled to come to grips with the undeniable fact.
Eden was going to start kindergarten.
How did this happen? Wasn't it just yesterday that I brought her home from the hospital and cried my eyes out because I was so happy, exhausted, and overwhelmed? Didn't she just mumble her first "Mama" and take her first clumsy steps as I walked next to her to soften her impending fall? It seems like only moments have passed since she graduated to her big girl bed and f-i-n-a-l-l-y decided it was okay to use the potty. As her mother, I have these memories cataloged in my (slowly deteriorating) brain, like a slideshow of all her significant stages.
And here we stood at the brink of yet another exhilarating step.
When the day finally arrived, it was nothing like I thought it would be. I anticipated much nervousness from my firstborn, and I was sure she would have some tears and fears about being separated from her loving mother. However, this was not the case. She woke early with excitement and hurried through the new morning routine. She squealed about her new stylish outfit and posed for the camera like a model on the runway. As we loaded into the car, Eden declared, "I am NOT going to cry!" And you know what? She didn't. When we got to the school, I grabbed her hand and tried to get a good grip on my emotions as she pranced happily next to me. We walked into her classroom, she quickly put her things away, and she left my side to find her name and get busy with her first activity. As Jason, Caroline, and I walked back into the hallway, I began to shed the first of many tears. (Caroline was sobbing loudly as well.) I couldn't believe it had actually happened. The painful goodbye had passed. And we survived.
As I think of all the anxiety and grief that I entertained over the thought of Eden growing up and having new life experiences, I know deep down that this is a necessary part of becoming who God desires for her to be. As much as I wish that I could freeze time and keep her as a tiny little baby for many years to come, I can't. That isn't the way the Creator designed us. He built us for growth. And if we didn't blossom and grow, there would be major cause for concern.
The same is true for our walk with Christ. If you are a believer, you are designed for growth. As a matter of fact, your growth is essential to the growth of the entire body of believers in Christ. Ephesians 4:11-16 states that...
I want to challenge to you consider your life thus far as a believer. Are you the same as you were when you first came to Christ? Or are you continuing to grow and change into the person He desires for you to be? I pray that you will be rooted in Him and that you will grow in His fullness and bear fruit for His kingdom.
Eden was going to start kindergarten.
How did this happen? Wasn't it just yesterday that I brought her home from the hospital and cried my eyes out because I was so happy, exhausted, and overwhelmed? Didn't she just mumble her first "Mama" and take her first clumsy steps as I walked next to her to soften her impending fall? It seems like only moments have passed since she graduated to her big girl bed and f-i-n-a-l-l-y decided it was okay to use the potty. As her mother, I have these memories cataloged in my (slowly deteriorating) brain, like a slideshow of all her significant stages.
And here we stood at the brink of yet another exhilarating step.
When the day finally arrived, it was nothing like I thought it would be. I anticipated much nervousness from my firstborn, and I was sure she would have some tears and fears about being separated from her loving mother. However, this was not the case. She woke early with excitement and hurried through the new morning routine. She squealed about her new stylish outfit and posed for the camera like a model on the runway. As we loaded into the car, Eden declared, "I am NOT going to cry!" And you know what? She didn't. When we got to the school, I grabbed her hand and tried to get a good grip on my emotions as she pranced happily next to me. We walked into her classroom, she quickly put her things away, and she left my side to find her name and get busy with her first activity. As Jason, Caroline, and I walked back into the hallway, I began to shed the first of many tears. (Caroline was sobbing loudly as well.) I couldn't believe it had actually happened. The painful goodbye had passed. And we survived.
As I think of all the anxiety and grief that I entertained over the thought of Eden growing up and having new life experiences, I know deep down that this is a necessary part of becoming who God desires for her to be. As much as I wish that I could freeze time and keep her as a tiny little baby for many years to come, I can't. That isn't the way the Creator designed us. He built us for growth. And if we didn't blossom and grow, there would be major cause for concern.
The same is true for our walk with Christ. If you are a believer, you are designed for growth. As a matter of fact, your growth is essential to the growth of the entire body of believers in Christ. Ephesians 4:11-16 states that...
"he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." (emphasis mine)How do we grow in our walk with the Lord? By reading and meditating on His Word and allowing Him to transform our wayward thoughts. By asking Him to fill us to overflowing with His Spirit so that we can exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By spending time with the community of believers and joining with them in worship, fellowship, and service. By pointing the lost to Christ and telling them how He has rescued us from the pit of despair.
I want to challenge to you consider your life thus far as a believer. Are you the same as you were when you first came to Christ? Or are you continuing to grow and change into the person He desires for you to be? I pray that you will be rooted in Him and that you will grow in His fullness and bear fruit for His kingdom.
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Mind of Christ
ME FIRST!!!
This declaration rings throughout the halls of my house multiple times each day. Even though my daughters are wonderful playmates (until they're not), there tends to be an undercurrent of competition that exists between the two of them. Sometimes it's a race to pick the best Barbie out of the bunch. Sometimes it's a struggle to the perceived goal posts as they push their way out of the front door. Sometimes it's a contest to see who can finish their dinner the fastest so they can get back to more important things like dancing and imagining and coloring. No matter how insignificant it may seem to me in that moment, it is a life or death situation for my sweet, precious little rivals. They fuss. They fight. They scrutinize. They compare. I get frustrated with their disregard for each other, and there are days when I am weary with their utter selfishness.
Then I remember my own.
As I repeatedly lecture my children about shoving their way to the front of the imaginary line, I am struck with the embarrassing fact that I, too, get caught up in the desire to win. I struggle often with comparing myself with others and fight the urge to puff up my own qualities in light of theirs. It's not pretty, I know. It's downright ugly. So what's a hypocritical mama to do?
Yesterday I was drawn to the book of Philippians, and this passage jumped off the page at me.
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:3-8, ESV)
My responsibility as a Christ-follower is to put the interests of others ahead of my own. Even when I'm tired. Even when I'm cranky. Even when I've already put their needs before mine many times that day already. In this way, I can have the mind of Christ. Because He made Himself nothing so that He could give me everything. I want my life to radiate with that same humility and love.
Lord, thank You for Your obedience and for conquering death on the cross. Please help me to remember Your sacrifice as I yield my desires in order to "count others more significant" than myself.
This declaration rings throughout the halls of my house multiple times each day. Even though my daughters are wonderful playmates (until they're not), there tends to be an undercurrent of competition that exists between the two of them. Sometimes it's a race to pick the best Barbie out of the bunch. Sometimes it's a struggle to the perceived goal posts as they push their way out of the front door. Sometimes it's a contest to see who can finish their dinner the fastest so they can get back to more important things like dancing and imagining and coloring. No matter how insignificant it may seem to me in that moment, it is a life or death situation for my sweet, precious little rivals. They fuss. They fight. They scrutinize. They compare. I get frustrated with their disregard for each other, and there are days when I am weary with their utter selfishness.
Then I remember my own.
As I repeatedly lecture my children about shoving their way to the front of the imaginary line, I am struck with the embarrassing fact that I, too, get caught up in the desire to win. I struggle often with comparing myself with others and fight the urge to puff up my own qualities in light of theirs. It's not pretty, I know. It's downright ugly. So what's a hypocritical mama to do?
Yesterday I was drawn to the book of Philippians, and this passage jumped off the page at me.
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:3-8, ESV)
My responsibility as a Christ-follower is to put the interests of others ahead of my own. Even when I'm tired. Even when I'm cranky. Even when I've already put their needs before mine many times that day already. In this way, I can have the mind of Christ. Because He made Himself nothing so that He could give me everything. I want my life to radiate with that same humility and love.
Lord, thank You for Your obedience and for conquering death on the cross. Please help me to remember Your sacrifice as I yield my desires in order to "count others more significant" than myself.
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