Joy: Week 3 - Day 3
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, thank you for the gift of a new day. We marvel at the beauty in the world and pray that we reflect your light wherever the day takes us. Amen.
“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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 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.”
REFLECT:
Paul's words here are a plea for unity within a body of believers. His letters spend a lot of time refereeing various conflicts within the first century church and he often begins by reminding the recipients that they are one in Christ - that they have the same goal and share the same core beliefs. What I love about the language that Paul uses is that he is calling for unity, not uniformity. His words do not require us all to be the same, rather he calls us to humbly consider others more important than ourselves. This allows for diversity within the body of Christ but not postures of superiority. What a poignant message for a body of believers in a highly divisive cultural environment!
APPLY:
In light of this passage, how, then, do we honor our friends and fellow believers when our views differ? Paul tells us in verses 3-4; we consider them more important than ourselves and we look after their own interests before our own. This is easier said than done. It means laying down the need to be right. It means laying down the need to protect your own narrative and simply loving a fellow human. The best thing about all of this is that it has the intended effect: it is humbling. It forces us to remember that, above all, we are called to love and serve - not build up our own image or seek our own honor. Try living in this way and see if it doesn't ultimately bring you more joy.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear God, we pray that you will keep us humble and gracious as we navigate this tense time. Remind us that when we love our neighbor in words and deeds, we are honoring you. Amen.
Try our new YouTube Chanel for your favorite Pathway Church Worship songs to add a musical component to your daily time with God. Subscribe here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe2eV87mDOpuXtzZxaMOQQ/