March 29th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Philippians 2:1-11 (NRSV)
Paul's plea for Christ-like humility
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death
even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Reflection
You have to watch yourself and who you follow. Selfishness and conceit are the enemies of humans. Once you pick up these characteristics in yourself or someone you follow, it's time to pause and pray. In yourself, seek forgiveness. Repent of your sin. In one your follow, reevaluate what is going on. Approach the person and speak to them. Selfishness will hurt many people who are followers. Conceit will close out the words of another and confine the leader to their own will and way.

Jesus took on the qualities of unity and love. Jesus humbled himself and exhorted others to love as he loves. Jesus took on obedience to the Father. Through actions of love Jesus leads all disciples. There is no selfish ambitions. In fact Jesus humbled himself to the point of becoming human. True exaltation comes from humility, because all the glory is God's. And in this we praise, honor and adore Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Father, when I'm tempted to selfishness and a conceited character, turn my eyes to Jesus that I may see the form he took as God who humbled himself in love for all people. Lead me away from following another who is selfish and conceited in their own gain and lead people away from unity. Draw me near to Jesus humble loving Spirit that I may live the life you wish me to live in humble love towards those you give to me. --- Amen