Considering Others - What She Said Part 14 - Week 7 Day 5

TODAY'S TREASURE

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Transcript

Considering Others

Patsy Kuipers, Guest Writer

Today’s Treasure

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Several years ago, my almost 3-year-old granddaughter Emma was napping peacefully when my daughter Mary arrived home with 7-year-old Joshua in tow. As he headed upstairs to change out of his school clothes, Mary and I both warned him to be quiet so he wouldn’t wake his sleeping sister. Joshua clumped up the stairs, and Mary followed up with a stern whisper: “Joshua! Quiet!!” But, after a long day at school, Joshua was ready for some sibling interaction. By the time he reached the second floor, he was singing, and then, right outside Emma’s door, he let out a spirited whoop. Mary and I barely had time to groan before he called out, “Emma’s awake!”  Really?

Attempting to find some humor in the situation, I quipped, “If she’d slept through all of that, one of us would have to go up and check her pulse.” Mary was not amused. 

From his earliest days, Joshua enjoyed company, and his philosophy was that if he was awake, someone else should be awake to talk to or play with. Unfortunately, there were times when the person on the receiving end of his cheerful, “Wakey, wakey!” wasn’t ready to wake up, much less engage in a conversation. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, believing he wasn’t being malicious, just thoughtless. As he matured, and with repeated coaching from the adults in his life, Joshua became more considerate and put his sister’s need for sleep ahead of his longing for a playmate. 

Occasionally, my actions cause me to think back to that long-ago afternoon and reflect on how easy it is for us to make decisions based on our own desires, regardless of our age. Thinking of ourselves and our well-being comes naturally. Sometimes, no one is inconvenienced or bothered. Then again, our acts may puzzle, annoy, or even hurt others as we tread all over their feelings and wishes, whether carelessly or deliberately.  

Each time God pricks my conscience about my innocent-to-me yet self-focused choices, the Spirit quickly reminds me of Paul’s teaching in Philippians 2:3-8: 

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.

Every time I read the first part of that passage, I think of my dear mother. She was the most selfless person I’ve ever known, a marvelous example of what it looks like to put others’ interests before our own. 

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

As children of the King, we’re called to a higher standard than simply not harming others on purpose. We’re to consider their interests, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, to serve as Jesus served, and, ultimately, to die more and more to self so the image of our Savior becomes increasingly apparent in us.

A while ago, I came across a story from the life of Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor who went to Africa in 1953. After watching her lose her temper with a patient, her spiritual mentor, Pastor Ndugu, pointed out, “I, the capital I in our lives, Self, is the great enemy . . .  the trouble with you is that we can see so much Helen that we cannot see Jesus.” 

Ouch! I know there are many times when people see way too much Patsy and not enough Jesus, times when I’m self-absorbed and oblivious to others and their needs. But I’m so thankful my Father always sees Jesus when He looks at me and is patiently transforming me until the day when my robe of righteousness will be a perfect fit. Indeed, He faithfully uses everything, from the antics of my boisterous and beloved grandson to the example set by my dear mother to the depth and riches of His everlasting Word, to complete the good work He began in me. 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, You gave us the ultimate example of what it looks like to put others before ourselves. Thank You for leaving Your heavenly throne, living a sinless, selfless life, and bearing the punishment that rightfully belonged to us.