Good morning!
This last week has left me reflecting about relationships, about other brothers and sisters providing spiritual support through prayer for us when we face a hard circumstance, the lifting up of our life that happens as a result of that support and how it represents a) acts of love; b) a demonstration of humility; c) a visible expression of people lowering themselves in service to another; and d) people placing trust in God as shown through their belief that praying for others to our Lord and Savior leads to answered prayer…
I love scripture that focuses the reader on how Jesus lowered himself, holding others higher than himself – here are some verses that share that perspective:
Matthew 20:25–28
Mark 10:42–45
John 13:14–15
Philippians 2:3-8
Every time I read these pieces of scripture the more I am convicted of the fact that our love shines when we get low, when we become servants, when we give instead of take. Each of us leads in some way in our lives and every time I read this scripture I am convicted that these words provide really wise counsel – could be said – perfect counsel to us as we lead others.
The following thoughts are based on a blog call “True Leadership Is Sacrifice, Not Privilege” by David Mathis. One of the key ideas he posits is that we should “empty themselves [read ‘ourselves’] for the good of others.” Every day at various Christian non-profit organizations and churches, that is much of what they are trying to do in order that their volunteers, donors, partners and the ones served – that good is being done – filling them up them hopefully in body and spirit. Whether we work at a Christian non-profit or elsewhere, Christ’s light can shine if we empty ourselves. So as we are leaders – in a sense we all are that regardless of the role we play – we should understand what that looks like as a follower of Christ. So David, in his blog, observes:
Like the Son of Man, we lead not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). We die to self so that others might live.
It may sound strange as I pull these thoughts together, but the very act of many who paused in their busy lives and offer their prayers for others at the drop of a hat, are manifesting the kind of leadership spoken of in the article and in scripture.
This brings me back around to relationships.
Most likely, relationships are more important than anything else in our lives. It starts with the most important relationship we have – with God, specifically through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, through which our relationship with the Father has been saved – for eternity. We are called often in scripture to take this understanding into our relationships that are a part of this world.
Philippians 2:3-8 frames it so well – value each other above yourselves – have the same way of thinking about relationships with each other as Christ did…
This kind of thinking should become normal for us, and especially those of us who claim to know Jesus Christ – with knowledge comes responsibility.
For me I am feeling especially cognizant of this today as I have been served – served in prayer by so many. This was God present in my circumstances over the last week, this was my miracle - not the news from a medical test I had recently –although good, it could have been bad - it is that people cared, demonstrated love.
That is something God would recognize as love for Him, not just for the person being prayed for.
So I desire to value each person I meet, each child I meet above myself – in the same way Christ and therefore our Father loves and cares for them. I have a long way to go. But Jesus Christ has transformed me, so I will carry that love and joy in the living of my life.
In closing, I am made richer in my life, my life in Christ, because God makes relationships important, so it is important that for a little while your life and my life connect – even if it isn’t often, or seemingly significant when we do interact through your reading this blog.
And every week, it is especially important to me, and I believe to God, that some may pause, read these words, offer a prayer for anyone and any need, because God’s love was shared in that action.
Lord Jesus, lifting up my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend – that prayer is that that each of our hearts and eyes are open – and willing – to see opportunities to become more Christ like in every relationship and interaction, sharing love of Jesus by humbling ourselves in relationship and service and prayer to others. Amen!
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Patrick
This last week has left me reflecting about relationships, about other brothers and sisters providing spiritual support through prayer for us when we face a hard circumstance, the lifting up of our life that happens as a result of that support and how it represents a) acts of love; b) a demonstration of humility; c) a visible expression of people lowering themselves in service to another; and d) people placing trust in God as shown through their belief that praying for others to our Lord and Savior leads to answered prayer…
I love scripture that focuses the reader on how Jesus lowered himself, holding others higher than himself – here are some verses that share that perspective:
Matthew 20:25–28
- But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42–45
- And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
John 13:14–15
- If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
Philippians 2:3-8
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!
Every time I read these pieces of scripture the more I am convicted of the fact that our love shines when we get low, when we become servants, when we give instead of take. Each of us leads in some way in our lives and every time I read this scripture I am convicted that these words provide really wise counsel – could be said – perfect counsel to us as we lead others.
The following thoughts are based on a blog call “True Leadership Is Sacrifice, Not Privilege” by David Mathis. One of the key ideas he posits is that we should “empty themselves [read ‘ourselves’] for the good of others.” Every day at various Christian non-profit organizations and churches, that is much of what they are trying to do in order that their volunteers, donors, partners and the ones served – that good is being done – filling them up them hopefully in body and spirit. Whether we work at a Christian non-profit or elsewhere, Christ’s light can shine if we empty ourselves. So as we are leaders – in a sense we all are that regardless of the role we play – we should understand what that looks like as a follower of Christ. So David, in his blog, observes:
- “Christian leadership — in the home, the church, and elsewhere — is not for those clawing for honor and recognition, but for those most ready to fall to their knees and be inconvenienced by the needs of others. They are those who, in a sense, have their house sufficiently in order to be able to turn their attention to serving others. Instead of pursuing their own immediate benefit, they are willing to sacrifice for others’ benefit.”
Like the Son of Man, we lead not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). We die to self so that others might live.
It may sound strange as I pull these thoughts together, but the very act of many who paused in their busy lives and offer their prayers for others at the drop of a hat, are manifesting the kind of leadership spoken of in the article and in scripture.
This brings me back around to relationships.
Most likely, relationships are more important than anything else in our lives. It starts with the most important relationship we have – with God, specifically through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, through which our relationship with the Father has been saved – for eternity. We are called often in scripture to take this understanding into our relationships that are a part of this world.
Philippians 2:3-8 frames it so well – value each other above yourselves – have the same way of thinking about relationships with each other as Christ did…
This kind of thinking should become normal for us, and especially those of us who claim to know Jesus Christ – with knowledge comes responsibility.
For me I am feeling especially cognizant of this today as I have been served – served in prayer by so many. This was God present in my circumstances over the last week, this was my miracle - not the news from a medical test I had recently –although good, it could have been bad - it is that people cared, demonstrated love.
That is something God would recognize as love for Him, not just for the person being prayed for.
So I desire to value each person I meet, each child I meet above myself – in the same way Christ and therefore our Father loves and cares for them. I have a long way to go. But Jesus Christ has transformed me, so I will carry that love and joy in the living of my life.
In closing, I am made richer in my life, my life in Christ, because God makes relationships important, so it is important that for a little while your life and my life connect – even if it isn’t often, or seemingly significant when we do interact through your reading this blog.
And every week, it is especially important to me, and I believe to God, that some may pause, read these words, offer a prayer for anyone and any need, because God’s love was shared in that action.
Lord Jesus, lifting up my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend – that prayer is that that each of our hearts and eyes are open – and willing – to see opportunities to become more Christ like in every relationship and interaction, sharing love of Jesus by humbling ourselves in relationship and service and prayer to others. Amen!
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Patrick
RSS Feed