Shifting Perspective.

I love the movies. I can usually figure things out inside of 15 minutes into the movie. The first movie that really ever “got me” was the 1999 movie, “The Sixth Sense”. In the last moments of the movie, it was revealed one of the main characters had been dead the whole movie. Mind blown! I had no idea. It changed my perspective.

Jesus calls us to change our perspective in how we live…how we see things. He gives us an upside-down perspective compared to what the world offers. It’s never more evident than in Philippians 2 where Paul calls us to be of one mind and purpose.

See, how you think determines what you become. Paul wants us to the have mind of Christ. We can discover how Jesus lived by looking at the Gospel accounts of his life. Jesus was always caring. He had consistent joy in his life. He was obedient to what the Father had called him to do. He was patient with all those around him. He was compassionate to those society had deemed, “Not worthy.”

So, if you think like Jesus thought, you’ll live like Jesus lived. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2 that Jesus was a humble person. He left everything he was entitled to have to come to earth. Jesus shows us that God desires self-abandonment, not self-promotion. In deed, Jesus says in Mark 8:35, “Whoever loses their life for me will actually find it…”

Paul introduces himself as a “slave” to Jesus in the opening line of Philippians. Paul goes on to show Jesus was a servant or slave for us. So we, as followers of Jesus, imitate him by realizing we too are slaves and servants. See, serving is not what I do. A servant his who I am.

So the call today, reflecting on Jesus in Philippians 2, is to change your perspective. No matter what is going on in your life, you are Jesus’ person, created in his image, reflecting him in the world around you. Be transformed. Humble yourself. Discover and live out the Spirit of Jesus living in you. Blessings on your journey.

Tripping on Pride

Have you ever had those proud moments in life? Moments when you made the team? Or got the job? Or when she said “yes”? Maybe when you first child was born and you got to take him or her home? There is no issue with having proud moments in life.

However, there are moments when Satan whispers in your ear how life is all about you and you take the bait. It’s in those moments that God takes issue. In the moments when you really want to exalt yourself and there is no care or concern about others.

When we look at the broad stroke of King David’s life (1 & 2 Samuel), we end up realizing what David struggled with is also what we struggle with…PRIDE. If asked, most of us would say David’s greatest stumble would be his adultery with Bathsheba. But 1 Chronicles 21 shows us he really struggled with pride.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, says in James 4, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” In our culture, humility is characterized as weakness. This is just not true. When we follow Jesus and allow him to reign in our life, we realize we are actually empowered greater then we ever could be on our own. James goes on to say in that same chapter, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up in honor.”

It’s a powerful way to represent Jesus Christ in your family, your workplace, and in your neighborhood. So, start today allowing the Spirit to convict you to walk with a humbleness that looks like Jesus. Start today surrendering to God and allow his Spirit to flow through your life. Say “good bye” to comparing yourself to others and just be Jesus to those around you. Humility is not weakness—your strength is God in you. Blessings on your journey.