We could reflect on Jesus all day, every day, for the rest of our lives, and never exhaustively comprehend His majesty.
He gave up heaven and became a humble man—not a powerful man, not a comfortable man, not a humanly-exalted man—because of His great love for both the Father and for us.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:3-8 ESV
How do I develop the mind of Christ?
I must humble myself. Daily
I must empty myself. Daily
I must count others more significant than myself. Daily.
I must become obedient to the point of death. Daily.
Ultimately, I can’t have the mind of Christ unless I look at his example, compare it with myself and change to follow His pattern.
Often, when I’m angry or short-tempered, it’s because someone has made me feel “lesser” in some way. If I have the mind of Christ, I don’t need to worry about feeling lesser because God considers me special enough to adopt as His child through Christ. With God as my Father, I should be secure enough in my value so as not to fuss over slights and disappointments. God provides the total emotional security we need to develop a Christ-like attitude.
And yet, the slights still hurt. We don’t ever like to feel lesser. Our world has always prized glory and honor. But this world is not our home—this is the desert! Praise, honor, and value in this life fades away in a moment. Our home is waiting for us in heaven where we will have the greatest joy when we hear, “well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”
When someone hurts you, confide in Jesus and learn to forgive like Jesus. When you are tempted to put yourself first, remember Jesus who put others first. When you want to be filled, Empty yourself first and allow God to fill you up.
Elihu Anderson is a surviving California native currently thriving in West Texas. When she isn’t writing for Elihu’s Corner, she is teaching, researching, walking, and book-worming with a cup of chai. Visit Elihu at elihuscorner.com
