Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Philippians 2:3-8
Comment
The other day I was reading the account in John 13 of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.. a remarkable act of humility. It made me think about myself and how innately un-humble and selfish I am. Only occasionally (when there is a full moon on 29th February) will I put the needs of my wife before mine and this will be reflected in my actions. Ho hum.
But she tells me that since becoming a Christian I have changed a lot, which is encouraging but there is clearly a long way to go as I seek to become more like Christ and to follow his way instead of the way of the world.
It is easier to be obedient to God if we are humble. It is easier to love and to be kind if we are humble. We are more like Christ when we are humble.
Would a dose of humility help your relationship and ‘distinctness’ as a Christ follower? It would mine. Maybe we should ask God for help in this area?
Prayer (as a couple)
Father God, thank you for the way in which Jesus humbled himself and became obedient even to death on a cross. Father – please help me to be more humble, to you and particularly in my relationship with _____ (partner). Help me to recognise his/her needs and to put them before my own. I know that this could be a ‘dangerous’ prayer and I ask because I trust you and I want to become more like Jesus, more able to do your will and to be a better partner. Amen
Prayer (for others)
Father God, We lift up _____ and _____ to you. We thank you for them. Father we pray that each of them will grow in humility and increasingly put the other first and that this will be reflected in loving action. We pray too that they will increasingly know you, recognise your love for them and respond to you in humility and with obedience. Amen
Final quote
“Humility does not mean you think less of yourself, it means you think of yourself less” (Ken Blanchard, author of the One Minute Manager)
