A Servant Attitude

^“2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

 ³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

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 ⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” –Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT)

Four of them against one in this planned, mandatory tryst…That one was “me”…That was my second meeting with them except one person got changed, a move I discerned to be dodging from being blamed much later. They laid out their plans. I was calm and prepared. They spoke so many words. They were all empty and void.

They did not know. I had a meeting prior to that. In tears, I consulted His advice. I was comforted. I was reminded not to be thinking nor acting the way they would. I was strengthened even more with what I perceived as inability, He promised He would enable me.

They were flustered when I spoke and they tried to cut off what I was saying. They knew truth would hurt but they chose to ignore it. I was not afraid knowing I was not alone and I was only speaking of the truth. They chose to continue to follow their evil ways and with the power they had, they were certain they took the right route in dealing with my case.

This morning as I was consulting the Best Advocate again, this word came to mind: “HUMILITY…”

Sadness came swiftly in my mind and heart. This world seemed to not like that. For some, humility meant defeat. But not in God’s place. He opposes the “proud.” He sent Jesus Who set the example of being submissive in everything and of serving God and others. He didn’t act like He was “a big thing.” He clothed Himself with humility and came as a Servant.

At this tough time I’m going through, I am being taught to become more patient. I am being taught that there is nothing wrong about being a “servant.” I may not have the power those oppressive people have but I don’t desire their ways. I desire that of God’s. God is teaching me to learn to wait. If I did before, then, wait some more on His perfect timing. With the power that comes from Him, it’s all worth the wait.

God wants us to serve. It’s easy to choose who to serve and to be a servant. But the sad part is when we put a stress on what we should or shouldn’t do without any concern for the inner condition of our hearts. Without an inward change, our walk is empty and shallow.

Those people in power are in great positions to serve. But they set their own rules. They are consumed with self-reliance and have no regard with others’ needs. Please help me pray for them that they may know God’s love and grace. Please help me pray for them that they will recognize that power and position is only a gift of God and that they will use that to serve God, not themselves.

Please pray for me that this “inner change” will start with me. Thank you for your continued encouragement and prayers. I know that our suffering will never compare to what Jesus had gone through. We must remember He suffered first before He was lifted up.  The cross came first before the crown. I know we all long for that day where there is no more pain, no more rejection, no more suffering. We must keep that longing because that will always remind us that we are all strangers or aliens in this world.

I have shared this song before but it truly blesses me that I always listen to it. As you come and share with my heart’s pain, I would rather have you be leaving encouraged and be reminded how important it is with God that we be changed into new and different people. His people. As believers, we have truly been set free by our Lord. Let us use our freedom to live for Him and serve Him. Let us be true servants of God. Let us suffer together for Him.