Living for Glory

Philippians 2:5-7

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

What do you do with the awards you have from races? Over the years I have earned a few and have kept every one. I have ribbons from high school track, a varsity letter, and medals and trophies from local road races. I have some in boxes and some on display.

Recently I read that some trophy shops request donations of old medals and trophies. They polish them, re-engrave them, and send them off to non-profit organizations that greatly need them for children or special-needs individuals.  When I read that I could donate my old awards, I considered giving some or all of them away. And yet, I didn’t.

I am ashamed to admit that I find it hard to part with the awards that recognize the achievements I fought so hard to attain. Even a paper certificate that I once received for winning my age group in a 5K is carefully tucked inside my scrapbook. My medals and trophies not only identify me as a winner but remind me of the glory that comes with winning.

How much different was Christ’s attitude, though, about His glory? Did Christ cling to it and to Heaven instead of coming to Earth to love and save His people? No, the Bible tells us that he humbly, lovingly, obediently set aside all the glory and honor of Heaven to come and do His Father’s will. He gave up infinitely more than a medal or ribbon. He gave up the comfort of a perfect, holy home and the unending praise of angels. And He gave it up to come love and forgive me, the one who cannot cast her eyes away from the medals hanging on the wall.

The writer of today’s text tells us that our attitude should be not just more like that of Christ but the same as that of Christ. I know that my heart is far from what Christ has called it to be. Yet, I’m not commanded to change my heart on my own; rather, my loving Father is present, willing, and able to change it for me through His power.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Christ’s example and for commanding that my life and attitude be the same as His. Lord, you know that this command is impossible for me to follow on my own. Thank you, though, that You can change my Heart. Help me to submit joyfully to that which You have called me, just as Christ did. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.