As I intentionally reflect on the last week of Jesus' life, I am in awe of the sacrifice he made. I re-read Philippians 2:4-8 and am immensely grateful. "Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross".
Can you imagine giving up heaven knowing that you would be crucified for your trouble? The very same people that you came to free from their self-inflicted prison, would be the ones that signed your death warrant? What kind of love moves you to come anyway? I'm pretty sure I don't love like that yet.
I'm just not there...I am a LONG way from getting there. But the prayer of humility that we read in service today gives me hope. Not hope that I can become what Christ was but hope because the transformation doesn't depend on me but the Spirit of Christ that lives in me. The same Christ that thought I was worth dying for. The same grace that He was given is available if we ask, not once, but over and over again. For every crucifixion, there is ALWAYS a resurrection. But we have to ask. Again and again.
Peace..
THE LITANY of HUMILITY (paraprased, Author Unknown)
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being preferred,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the desire of comfort and ease,
From the desire of being humiliated,
From the fear of being criticized,
From the fear of being passed over,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being lonely,
From the fear of being hurt,
From the fear of suffering,
Deliver me, Lord.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Jesus,meek and humble of heart,
Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
