"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!"
I think it's important for us to highlight the first sentence. We, followers of Jesus are to follow in the footsteps of his ministry on earth. With him proclaiming Himself as the savior- the light of the world, and us proclaiming him as the savior and light of the world. Looking at the ministry of Christ, we see that he did not live in comfort or convenience. Often, when he and his disciples went to rest or eat, crowds of people would stop them. Now instead of sending them off like the disciples sometimes suggested, He taught them of the good news. His attitude was one of humility- He saw the furthering of the kingdom of God more important than even his own human needs- which being fully human yet fully God he did have. He portrayed for us a level of commitment that led him even to death. And so, as His followers we will find that we are called to put aside our own comfort, our own plans, and what we think we need in order to see people come to know the Lord as their savior, in order to serve as Christ who was God served. For he did not come to be served but to serve. How much more should we take on this attitude?
Yet the space between wanting this attitude and acquiring it is sometimes large. It's easy for me to say if it came between my own comfort and obedience to the Lord in every day life I would choose obedience, yet to give up my sleep or my lunch in order to humbly serve without grumbling is something that requires strength that is only possible through the Lord and something that I continually have to learn how to do. We are coming into a time at El Jordan where sleep is a luxury we formerly took for granted and we will be serving instead of resting. We will be cooking for 5000 people (Yes 5000 I didn't get that number wrong) and serving it all on Christmas eve. But this is what the Lord has called us to do. And for those 5000 people living alone on the streets, it will make a difference for his kingdom. So please pray with me that they will see the Lord in what we are doing. That in it all we will be pointing to the Lord and not ourselves. And for me that He will give me the strength to serve humbly with a joyful heart even when I am physically exhausted.
I think it's important for us to highlight the first sentence. We, followers of Jesus are to follow in the footsteps of his ministry on earth. With him proclaiming Himself as the savior- the light of the world, and us proclaiming him as the savior and light of the world. Looking at the ministry of Christ, we see that he did not live in comfort or convenience. Often, when he and his disciples went to rest or eat, crowds of people would stop them. Now instead of sending them off like the disciples sometimes suggested, He taught them of the good news. His attitude was one of humility- He saw the furthering of the kingdom of God more important than even his own human needs- which being fully human yet fully God he did have. He portrayed for us a level of commitment that led him even to death. And so, as His followers we will find that we are called to put aside our own comfort, our own plans, and what we think we need in order to see people come to know the Lord as their savior, in order to serve as Christ who was God served. For he did not come to be served but to serve. How much more should we take on this attitude?
Yet the space between wanting this attitude and acquiring it is sometimes large. It's easy for me to say if it came between my own comfort and obedience to the Lord in every day life I would choose obedience, yet to give up my sleep or my lunch in order to humbly serve without grumbling is something that requires strength that is only possible through the Lord and something that I continually have to learn how to do. We are coming into a time at El Jordan where sleep is a luxury we formerly took for granted and we will be serving instead of resting. We will be cooking for 5000 people (Yes 5000 I didn't get that number wrong) and serving it all on Christmas eve. But this is what the Lord has called us to do. And for those 5000 people living alone on the streets, it will make a difference for his kingdom. So please pray with me that they will see the Lord in what we are doing. That in it all we will be pointing to the Lord and not ourselves. And for me that He will give me the strength to serve humbly with a joyful heart even when I am physically exhausted.
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