Pre-trip devotion: HUMILITY

Many mission/vision trips are about providing some kind of construction work, like building a house or school or medical facility.  Some projects involve ministry at a church, like a Vacation Bible School.  It's easy to look at the kind of activity I do as an end in itself.  In the last few weeks I've been encouraged to look deeper than the "what" of the project and explore the "how".

I know God cares deeply about my attitude.  I know that because He's explicit in the description of what kind of attitude I should have if I want to bring Him glory through my words/thoughts/projects/prayer.  We are called to exude an attitude of service. 

Philippians 2

Imitating Christ’s Humility

 ¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
 ⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!


Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Wow.  Do n-o-t-h-i-n-g out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Having an attitude of humility is easier said than done - especially in the culture we live in today.  Humility and service are the opposite of what we are taught by our peers, and being a humble servant does not come naturally to me.

This particular devotion places a heavy emphasis on making sure your attitude is aligned with Paul's instructions from verses 3 through 5.  Personally, my attitude toward my tasks in Uganda isn't causing any spiritual red flags to go up.  I did, however, feel them popping up when I read the verses and stopped to consider other areas of my life.. especially the portion of my life related to my career.  There weren't any asterisks on these scriptures indicating that careers are exempt from this expectation.

Lord, Please prepare my heart as I approach this very busy work week.  Please let these words be set before me such that I am reminded to consider others before myself in all my actions and encounters.  I want to have the mind of Christ.  I want to glorify you in all that I do, every day.   Amen.

From Mark 10:42-45, Jesus doesn't offer any mixed signals when he presents the great paradox of servanthood:

⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 Considering the environment and the work I will do on my trip, there are some practical ways I can be a humble servant and avoid acting superior:

• Smile
• Stand in a humble pleasant posture
• Make sure my arms aren't folded (a nervous habit)
• Allow others to eat/proceed/speak/share first 
• Be keen to identify ways I can help
• Speak in turn 

   In reading the promises of Philippians 1:6 and 2:13, there are two phrases that give me confidence that I can have a Christ-like attitude:

1. "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
2. "...for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Isn't this just the best?!  Such strong and encouraging words to start this week - I'm just going to let those sink into my heart and mind and take over!

Much love,

MaryAnn

** I was *thisclose* to clicking "publish" when I felt led to share one more thought.  In Philippians 1:6 we read that He will carry on the good work to completion.  So if I aspire to be like Christ, and Christ carries on with his tasks to completion... then shouldn't that be something I/we aspire to as well?  The implications here are really, really big.   I'll probably think on this some more tonight... while I finish putting the clothes away and work to FINALLY get these photos hung on the wall.  ;)