phil.3

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, 
any comfort from love, 
any participation in the Spirit, 
any affection and sympathy, 
complete my joy by being of the same mind, 
having the same love, 
being in full accord and of one mind. 
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, 
but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, 
but also to the interests of others. 
Have this mind among yourselves, 
which is yours in Christ Jesus, 
who, though he was in the form of God, 
did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 
but emptied himself, 
by taking the form of a servant, 
being born in the likeness of men. 
And being found in human form, 
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, 
even death on a cross. 
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
to the glory of God the Father.
~Philippians 2:1-11


our pastor taught on sunday about the night of Jesus' betrayal on sunday, and how He washed His disciples feet.  eric exhorted us to look at how we serve, and who we serve - do we serve just those who "deserve" it and who can repay us?  or do we give to those who it makes no sense to serve....people who won't be grateful, who we hate / who hate us, or who won't ever do something in return?  the ones were there is no benefit to giving.

in reading the verses above this week, i could see a similar message....

how can i count others as better than myself?

how am i failing to view this world in the way Jesus' does?

why do i not value humility for humility's sake?


why does it feel right that my goals, my agenda, my WANTS be higher than those of someone else?


i am no good at loving others as better than myself - in spite of wanting to be treated this way myself!!  but i know God forgives me for this, and i can get back up and try again.