Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 3, 2016
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. Philippians 2:3-4
I work with a person who regularly asks me, “How can I pray for you?” Knowing they are genuine in their concern—I seek to share a vulnerable, heartfelt response about issues—both professionally and personally, that feed my anxieties. Invariably—my friend smiles—looks into my eyes, deep down into my soul and says, “Let me pray for you right now.” I stand delightfully amazed, but in my heart I kneel in humble gratitude to my heavenly Father. When a friend values my needs above their own—I feel the need to prayerfully do the same for other needy souls.
Since the Spirit has designed our hearts to put others above ourselves with acts of kindness, words of affirmation and gifts befitting the occasion, we are able to be comforted by love and to comfort in love. Just as bees instinctively swirl around the ripest fruit, so a life ripe with love encounters people (with a unique story) in need of care. This is not inherent to our natural operating system—for only a heart loved first by God can authentically and consistently esteem others above themselves. Fresh iterations of love must be downloaded and installed into our soul.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).
Humble heroes are birthed when their hearts are first conceived in love by Christ, in love for Christ and in love for those Christ loves. Indeed, to love and be loved: emboldens our faith, stirs our emotions against injustice, strengthens our resolve, magnifies our vision, galvanizes our relationships, animates our affections, grows our generosity, overflows our joy and expands our capacity to serve. Humility is first concerned about the concerns of others—not its own agenda. Selfish ambition is neutralized when it submits to the needs of others over and above its own needs.
So, how can we grow a heart of humility? One way is to actively support others in their real-time felt needs and their long-term wants and dreams. Human beings tend to focus on what’s in front of them, but within them is a hopeful desire for their life to become better in the future. A humble heart is good soil for our Savior’s seeds of intentional love to germinate and grow into an orchard where everyone’s interests can flourish—since each one seeks to fulfill the another’s interests. Jesus valued the world over His own comfort and even His life, so now He can live in us to live through us!
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grow my heart of humility by giving me opportunities to value another’s interests above my own.Application
Who needs for me to serve them, rather than waiting on them to serve me?Related Reading
Proverbs 22:1; Isaiah 53:3; Galatians 2:2-9; Philippians 4:13Post/Tweet today
Humility is first concerned about the concerns of others—not its own agenda. #WisdomHunters #humilityvaluesothersfirstWorship Resource
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