Rob here, I think it would be easier if I just quoted directly from my journal today:
"Lord, can hardly believe its a new year, feeling the pressure to get some resolutions in place. Likely the biggest is to simplify my life, still feel like too many days are out of control. If I'm honest today, I'm wasn't looking forward to praying this passage (Philippians 2:5-11) as it's so familiar and I've thought about it so many times, and yet its this first verse that has taken me by surprise, so thank you for this freshness; 'Think of yourselves the way Christ thought of himself' (MSG). As I think about how this applies to me, a couple of things come to mind:
First, Christ knew he was deeply and unconditionally loved by His Father. This love was not performance based, but relationship based. This is how Jesus thought about himself. I need to make sure I give this same gift to the people around me today.
Second, that Christ was launched into his ministry with the most important thing already in place, this unconditional love. I tried to think of what my life would be like if I lived this way, knowing I already possessed the most important thing in life. Maybe this would help me have clarity on how to simplify. I suddenly had this image of Jesus, from an emotional angle, engaging people with confidence, joy and certainty because he knew he had the Father's love & acceptance already in the bag."
Lord, how would I parent if I knew this? How would I treat Jill if I knew this? How would I lead differently if I knew this?"
4 comments:
Rob, thanks for your honesty and openness. I love this passage and am always struck by His humility. It also serves as a great reminder that even in times of trouble we can persevere with the promise of a future with Jesus.
Susan
Joe here, I am going to go one verse further than Rob left off. One of my favourite verses in Philippians 2 is verse 12... "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." It's such a process, it's a road you walk down your entire life. We're not there yet, but we're on a journey. I believe we can "work out" our salvation more and more as we discover that God's love for us really is unconditional. That's hard for me to fathom most days, insignificant, sinful me, unconditionally loved by the God of the universe? But it's only in that understanding that I begin to experience a bit more of the life and freedom that God really intends for me. It's great to be loved! Joe
Thanks Rob. I (and I'm sure others) sure need this reminder. What a great picture you stir us to envision - living, ministering, working, interacting with others - all based out of the security and confidence that comes from our relationship with God, where we know we are unconditionally loved. I think "conditional love" based on performance, roles and expectations can easily creep into a lot of relationships and it can be hard for us to grasp God's unconditional love (as Joe says).
Personally,I've always found reflecting the mind of Christ, emptying myself of "self" and refilling with humility & obedience the epitomy of challenges.Failure & discouragement are frequent! I try to uplift my spirit by focusing on the word "let". I want it to be, so I'll "allow" it to be--completion--not in this life I suspect.Like Joe, I think we have to yield to the progression of our salvation, as we allow God to work thru us.My goal, difficult sometimes as it might be is to "shine like the stars" and by His grace, not surrender to a total eclipse. Even tho, I may not always respond to the blogs, appreciate you & Renee sharing your thoughts and hearts!Keep it going--it's good stuff!!
Post a Comment