Chapter 2 reminded me what is was like the first time I visited my college of Olivet Nazarene University. I remember meeting my peers for the first time and experiencing that I was going to be living with a couple thousand people that were all "united in Christ." There is great joy in that kind of fellowship because we feel the spirit of God in a very real way.
Sometimes I feel like I'm on top of the world in my relationship with Christ. Those moments are great but I lose all sight of humility. The most humbling thing I can read is a reminder of the way Christ carried himself when he went to die for me.
As a body of believers, we must support one another like Timothy, Epaphroditus, and Paul did for one another. There ministries were better because of one another and our ministries will experience the same encouragment from one another. I pray we humbly approach each day with a servants heart and that everyone will see in us the love of Christ that is offered to them.
Tomorrow is Philippians 3.
God Bless,
Nick
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I am really enjoying these 28 days of "training." Reading the scripture, praying, observing how it acts in my personal life, and how I am able to apply the various aspects of the chapters. I also truly enjoy reading your take on the scripture and how the others are interpreting the versus and how they are fitting into their personal lives.
ReplyDeleteReading Philippians 2 I see three parts to this chapter. The first part reminds us that Jesus is God who humbled himself and became that which he created. The second part explains that we are to do our work, and work our salvation, without complaining. In the third part Paul tells the people that he is sending both Timothy and Epaphroditus (first) to be with them.
Still going through my own struggles with life this chapter helps "bring home" the notion of working through my own trials with joy, and not to complain. Having been a manger, or even just as an employee, it gets very frustrating when you are surrounded by those who do nothing but complain all day. Their negative attitude brings everyone else down and really affects the work being accomplished.
When Paul is talking about humble I am taking this as doing the exact same this you would ask someone to do. In Paul's position, preaching the Word for the very first time in parts of the world that had never heard It before, he was leading by example. I have used this mentality in business managing people. It is amazing what happens when you prove to your employees that you will give them all the glory for a job well done, never ask them to do anything you haven't already accomplished, and give them the authority to do the work. Sometimes I believe this is what God did for us. He became man to lead by example, then he has given us the tools and authority to spread his Word, and we get the glory for doing this job. The greatest part of this is that because of this we follow him to the end of the earth and glorify him. Using this in business the same things happen. Your employees work harder and better for you and are loyal. It's amazing to be able to help others reach beyond what they think possible.
Yesterday, while at work and home, things came at me that I considered very difficult and trying. Normally I would lash out with a negative attitude; however, just like in Step 1 of the Love Dare I kept my mouth shut unless it was something positive and uplifting. The days where everyone around me is happy and positive all feels good with the world. Keeping my mouth shut and not complaining, while difficult, makes life around me a bit easier to deal with.
All glory to God. Amen