A Reflection On Becoming Like Jesus

When I need to think of others before myself

Human beings rarely aspire to become nothing. We want to make a name for ourselves, or at least to succeed at our goals. But the mind of Jesus will take us in the opposite direction. He found satisfaction in deferring to others’ needs. He didn’t cling to deity because, in the long run, a demonstration of power would be less satisfying than a demonstration of character. The godly agenda aims for wholeness and unity over authority and comfort. The divine program for exaltation and glory is to go through humility and meekness to get there.

If our minds are ever to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we have to learn to think that way. We must embrace deference, holding the welfare of others to be more valuable than our own. We must embrace service, working for the benefit of each other rather than trying to get ahead ourselves. And we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God in order for that hand to lift us up.

He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

Philippians 2:7