Philippians 2:5-8
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Ah, Humility. That thing that we all think we have, but… we don’t have more than we’d care to admit. Humility is that word we don’t hear circulating much because somebody might hold us to it if we bring it up. (That’s just a guess)
But we don’t have to look far. In Philippians 2:5-8 it’s made very clear what humility looks like. Paul told us to have this same mindset. Yes, the very same mindset Jesus demonstrated. Unfortunately, when we think we “know” these familiar scriptures, their depth and meat go over our heads. And we miss it.{yes, I say that often because it’s painstakingly accurate} So, if God were handing out a test on humility today, most would fail. Embarrassingly fail.
Many associate Joseph with forgiveness and how he overcame what his brothers did to him to bless them in their time of need. However, let’s look at this differently before his trials. Joseph was a great example of what a lack of humility looks like as a young boy with prophetic dreams and favor. Joseph didn’t consider how his dreams and favor made his siblings feel. He was excited, overzealous, and threw his gift in their face. God allowed what came next for Joseph for a reason. Joseph needed a dose of humility and compassion.
If we know anything, we know that trials have a way of humbling us like nothing else will. Interestingly, we often associate ourselves with Joseph after the trials when we are really Joseph before the trials. Here’s Joseph before the trials.
- He showed no consideration. Supposing he might be inciting jealousy
- No compassion.
- He threw his vision and who he knew God called him to be in others’ faces.
- He had no gauge of what to share or not.
Look at what he had to go through to get to the place of compassion and humility.
- Betrayal
- Slavery
- False Accusations
- Punishment for a crime he didn’t commit
- Forgotten and overlooked
Does any of this sound familiar in your life?
We would be wise to learn from Joseph’s lessons. Yet, like Joseph, we often buy into worldly mindsets of elevating our gifts and vision in excessively high regard. We’re making moves. We’re doing X, Y, AND Z, and we tell the world all about it. God calls us to do great things, but keep it in check. He calls us to do great things for HIS KINGDOM in servitude to Him. Let’s be clear.
We are vessels.
So, be intentional about living in the mindset of Christ. Don’t make your vision or what God has called you to become your idol. Speak less. Hear the Lord more. The beauty Christ displayed in laying down his life as one of His created beings speaks volumes about putting other’s needs before ours. Jesus still did what God told him to do, but he had the eyes to see others and put them first on a different level that we can only do by the Spirit of God. That is not a deity thing; that is a human thing. He asked Philipp to see others before himself in Mark 6 and John 6.
Before we get to where we’re going, as an ambassador for God, we must go through whatever we need to see others like Jesus did. God is always concerned about the state of our most genuine hearts. It’s a heart thing, not a gift thing.
Where there is humility, there is love, compassion, and profound concern for another. It doesn’t matter if we like them or they like us; it doesn’t matter if they offend or betray us. Humility is multifaceted, but the most significant characteristic is seeing others how God sees and loves them. Unconditionally.
Being honest about these areas of the heart is important because many of us are Joseph before the trials. So, strive to understand how to live genuinely humbly.
May God’s word of truth be our guide and our life.
