Day 156: That Profound Secret To Humbling Ourselves
Read: Philippians 2:1 - 4
As I begin today's devotional effort, I feel the need to drop one of
the most profound secrets I know of in the daily life of someone who
chooses to refer to themselves as a Christian man or woman - that the
secret to humbling ourselves lies solely in our making others greater
than ourselves -- both in our perspective and in our pursuits. I know that this may not sound so profound or very much like a great secret, however, in a culture where everyone wants to read the next great self help book
of secrets to getting ahead in life, about standing out in a crowd and
get noticed or stand head and shoulders above your co-workers for that promotion, inquiring minds want all the best secrets to gain the advantage.
In a time in our country when the long term unemployed, economically
challenged folks out there just want to feel like they are successfully
accomplishing the basics of life - food on the table, bills being paid,
roof over their heads, money in the bank and so on, they try everything
to create the right resume for their next job. They dig and dig through
libraries, book stores, on-line resources, local, state, Federal government
agencies for the one thing, that one word, that one phrase, that right moment, in other words, that most valuable, seemingly the most secret source of hope. In our
culture that can come across as believing that the only secret, the best secret to success in life
is looking out for #1 being ME.
Let me make this clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong about looking out for #1. In such challenging circumstances, we as individuals must survive. We must
be alive to thrive. But it is how we choose to help others thrive
afterward that is the real secret. Most valuable secrets involve
something people long to know and try their hardest to discover and
achieve previously unknown riches and success. Unless someone goes to
great pains to carefully conceals such a secret it reproduces rapidly
until it cannot be labelled a secret any longer and must be shared. Here
we have a secret that God is trying to reveal, but no one seems to want
to discover it, dare put it into practice. What is that singularly profound secret?
So what is that
secret few will ever want to discover or dare put into practice? Here it
is for all to read and dare to meditate and reflect on: 'Is there any
encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any
fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and
compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with
each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and
purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble,
thinking of others as better than yourselves. Do not, Do not (my
emphasis) look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in
others, too.' Is this so or too profound for anyone?
Let Us Pray:
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive---
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. (St. Francis of Assisi 1181-1226)
http://www.youtube.com/
Read: Philippians 2:1 - 4
As I begin today's devotional effort, I feel the need to drop one of the most profound secrets I know of in the daily life of someone who chooses to refer to themselves as a Christian man or woman - that the secret to humbling ourselves lies solely in our making others greater than ourselves -- both in our perspective and in our pursuits. I know that this may not sound so profound or very much like a great secret, however, in a culture where everyone wants to read the next great self help book of secrets to getting ahead in life, about standing out in a crowd and get noticed or stand head and shoulders above your co-workers for that promotion, inquiring minds want all the best secrets to gain the advantage.
In a time in our country when the long term unemployed, economically challenged folks out there just want to feel like they are successfully accomplishing the basics of life - food on the table, bills being paid, roof over their heads, money in the bank and so on, they try everything to create the right resume for their next job. They dig and dig through libraries, book stores, on-line resources, local, state, Federal government agencies for the one thing, that one word, that one phrase, that right moment, in other words, that most valuable, seemingly the most secret source of hope. In our culture that can come across as believing that the only secret, the best secret to success in life is looking out for #1 being ME.
Let me make this clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong about looking out for #1. In such challenging circumstances, we as individuals must survive. We must be alive to thrive. But it is how we choose to help others thrive afterward that is the real secret. Most valuable secrets involve something people long to know and try their hardest to discover and achieve previously unknown riches and success. Unless someone goes to great pains to carefully conceals such a secret it reproduces rapidly until it cannot be labelled a secret any longer and must be shared. Here we have a secret that God is trying to reveal, but no one seems to want to discover it, dare put it into practice. What is that singularly profound secret?
So what is that secret few will ever want to discover or dare put into practice? Here it is for all to read and dare to meditate and reflect on: 'Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Do not, Do not (my emphasis) look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.' Is this so or too profound for anyone?
Let Us Pray:
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive---
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. (St. Francis of Assisi 1181-1226)
http://www.youtube.com/
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