Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death – even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – of those who are 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. Philippians 2:5-11
My words…
Praise
I often think about what life must have been like for You, Jesus, while on earth. Leaving the presence of Your Father, the angelic hosts, and access to every dimension, You arrived here. How confining earth must have felt. And dirty. And smelly. You rarely used Your God-powers to circumvent the situation before You. Once, You disappeared through a crowd, avoiding being thrown from a cliff. Understandable. You couldn’t die then – You had work to do. You walked throughout the region of Judea and Samaria when You could have moved from one place to another with the snap of Your fingers. But You wouldn’t have met the Samaritan woman at the well (one of my favorite conversations of all time). You could have leaped the Sea of Galilee in one bound, but You wouldn’t have walked on water with Peter. Each miraculous act demonstrated Your love and compassion to the human race, and glorified Your Father. No stage, no lights, no applause. It’s this attitude that makes You the God You are. It’s this attitude that, when emulated, changes the course of human lives. It’s this attitude that makes You the God I want to serve.
Prayer for me
Lord, I want Your attitude, Your mind-set. Not an attitude of entitlement, but one of humility. I know I will never uphold this attitude perfectly. I will continue to whine, “That’s not fair!” But with Your help, I will allow Your Spirit to re-shape my self-seeking attitude into one that will bring You pleasure.
Forgive me
Pardon my sin of “selective humility.” I slip on Your attitude of humility then take it off – like a coat. Forgive me for thinking it’s impossible to wear Your attitude every single day.
Prayer for others
Father, I want to pray for a specific person, a man I heard about, living in Washington D.C. After being seriously injured in his home by an intruder and hospitalized for days, he was forced to find a safer place to live. He is a man well-acquainted with street life, having been homeless for a time. He researched alternative housing and found a place where the rent payment fell within the parameters required by his federal housing voucher. He arranged an interview with the manager and arrived clean and well-dressed. But when the manager realized he was receiving federal assistance, she quoted a higher price for the apartment, a price not covered by the voucher. The man thanked the woman for meeting with him, apologized for being himself misinformed, and left. You watched this scene unfold. You felt his pain in Your heart. Which of the two acted more like Jesus? Bless him for that, Lord! Meet his needs! He is just one of so many who suffer at the hands of those in decision-making positions. You are a God with limitless power, so I’m praying for all of those who suffer because of their station in life. They endure abuse with humility. I pray You will touch their lives with a portion of Your comfort. Guard them, Lord, and bring them relief and rest.
Thank you
Thank You for being the kind of God You are – One who willingly stepped away from the magnificence of the heavens to live as a mortal, enduring what You did not deserve. Thank You for choosing to work as a carpenter, feeling the pain when You struck Your finger instead of the nail. Thank you for allowing Yourself to catch a cold and scrape Your knee. You felt deep sadness at the death of Your friends. You endured betrayal and denial. And worst of all, death by crucifixion. Yet You did it anyway. My heart is filled with thanksgiving for You.
More praise
Jesus, You held the power of the universe within the constraints of a human body. You, the Son of God, endured the ridicule and indifference of Your creation – right in Your face. By Your own choice, You had no home, no money, no distinguished earthly pedigree. And because of this, You are now raised in glory, seated at the right hand of the Father, receiving the praise of angels and people of faith. I long to see the day when, at the mention of Your precious name, no one in heaven, earth, or below the earth will be standing, for we will all be on our knees, offering You unabashed praise and adoration. But for now, accept my praise, accept my adoration of You, Jesus, who humbly endured so much for me.
