Contrasting Our Culture

Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

We live in a "me" culture. There is a nauseating aroma of success, ambition and self-centeredness that our culture and the enemy have consistently convinced us to breathe in over the last ... oh say, forever. It started in the garden with a snake that convinced Eve he knew better than God and it continues today as that same snake creeps around trying to convince us that he still knows better that God. 

But if you're anything like me, I don't need a great deal of help from the enemy to be selfish, inwardly focused or convinced that I know what's best. It's a daily struggle to be humble and to serve others and to possess and practice the attitude Christ Jesus modeled for us.

I used to think that the humble person was someone who was quiet, with a sort of wallflower personality, someone who didn't like attention. But then I realized that would eliminate much of the population that God created to be speakers, teachers, preachers, missionaries, evangelist, joy filled singers, people persons. That's when I realized, humility is a lot about how you make others feel. It's a lot about focusing on others. And a lot less what kind of personality and gifts you possess. It's more about what you do with those.

When we put our selfish ambitions and desires on the back burner and focus on what is good and right for others, humility shines. When we have the attitude of Jesus Christ towards others, humility shines. When we practice loving and serving the way Jesus did, humility shines. 

Humility doesn't boast. But it's not trying to hide either. It's not some secret that's just between me and you. It's the active pursuit to do what Jesus has done for us...He put us before His own desires and comfort. He served. He led with the motivation that He would glorify God with His years on earth. That's humility. Don't look in the mirror or around you to find a good example, look in God's Word. Jesus perfectly demonstrated humility. He wasn't weak. He wasn't passive. He wasn't depressed. He was a leader who looked after the needs and interests of others before He looked at His own desires. He was a leader who made others think without driving them away and He was a leader who adopted His Father's plans as His own. 

That should be our goal...to walk with others in mind, to put others needs and interests before our own selfishness and to adopt the Father's plan as our own. That's humility. What a stark contrast to the world we live in today! Let's do this. Let's be different. Let's walk like Jesus. In a world that craves the spotlight, let's focus on others so that they can see a clearer picture of Jesus through those who have adopted His agenda and not their own.