| For weeks now I’ve been preoccupied with commitment, both in thought and in deed. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to serve. Although I understand the use of “command” (we are followers of God and not the other way around), I wish the concept of “command” was not used in scripture when discussing service. When commanded to do something, we tend to see it as a “must do” instead of “want to.” Service should be a “want to.” This was Paul’s thought conveyed to the Philippians. For Paul, Jesus’ entire ministry was seen as a journey of descent. God, in Jesus, came down to be human among us. Phil. 2:5-11, an ode to this descent, meant to remind the early Church that following Jesus was not a way to rise above troubles and life’s difficulties, but rather a way to enter into difficulties in a life-altering, healing, redeeming way. It wasn’t something that must be done as much as wanted to be done. Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. When we desire to serve and then accompany that longing with deed, God exalts. This week, follow Jesus’ descent into service—not because you “have to” but because it is the path of God.  This Week’s Readings: -Monday – Hebrews 7 -Tuesday – Hebrews 8 -Wednesday – Hebrews 9 -Thursday – Hebrews 10 -Friday – Hebrews 11 Things to Pray About: -The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. |
| “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6 |