Saturday / Attitude
Read Philippians 2: 5-11 (NLT)
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Think
Having a Christ-like attitude is all about service-being a servant to those around us. It’s about putting the needs of others first. But Jesus didn’t mean just sending a check to charity or donating canned goods to a food drive. When Jesus modeled servant-hood for us, he did the lowest thing he could: he washed his friends’ feet. He got down on his knees and took on the job of the lowliest servant in the household. That’s the example he gave us of having the same attitude that Christ had.
Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but my feet are pretty sweaty by the end of the day, and don’t smell very good either. And that’s what happens when I wear shoes. Jesus’ friends went around all day wearing open sandals and walking on dirt roads where animals also walked. You can just imagine what all they stepped in!
I have trouble imaging the Creator of the Universe kneeling in front of me to wash my smelly feet. But that’s just what he would do; he’d make himself a lowly servant out of his great love for me. That’s what he wants from me, too—to go out and get involved in the needs of the world in a personal and up-close way. That’s how I can show God’s love to the world—by serving others.
Pray
Dear Lord, you set aside your divinity in order to show me your love. Thank you for your amazing attitude of grace and mercy. Help me to keep looking to you for my example of how to live. As I struggle every day to put aside my own selfishness, help me become ever more able to mirror your love for the world. Amen
Do
So, ask yourself today, where is Jesus asking me to go and get my hands dirty in His name? In these uncertain times, there are many new ways for you to serve those around you. There are elderly neighbors who need food or medicines delivered, your local Food Pantry is probably overwhelmed with hungry people and short of food and volunteers. Maybe you have a few grandchildren who’d love to have you read to them over Facebook live or Face-time on your phone. And as Spring comes along, everyone has at least one neighbor whose yard could use some clean-up help. Use your imagination, ask God to show you where you need to look. Then get out there and get dirty for God.
The View from Mt. Hope 