Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil 2:3-4
Two things come to mind when I hear this favorite toddler’s word, “mine.” First, I think of a Beatles song…not a surprise for those who know me…titled “I Me Mine.” George Harrison wrote this song amidst great conflict among the Fab 4 as the inherent selfishness of the members was breaking the group apart. The second thought that comes to mind is that scene in Finding Nemo where Dory and Nemo, a couple of fish, are found flopping on the dock surrounded by countless seagulls hungrily squawking, “mine,” “mine,” “mine.” As we “mature,” we human beings learn to suppress this favorite word of toddlers, seagulls and Beatles. (Though if you’ve ever been at Costco when two shoppers are eying the last scrumptious free sample on the tray at the same time, you realize that we all may not be as “mature” as we’d like to think. Of course, as Christians, we know better. “No, no, no, you take it.” “I couldn’t possibly…” “Really, you were here first.” “Well, if you insist…”) Yet, I have found, in my own life, that there is a big difference between saying what we imagine is the right thing to say, and acting out of a genuine desire for the benefit of others. It is this latter reality that the Apostle Paul is calling the Philippians to. He knows that selfish ambition comes naturally. He knows that we, by nature, seek our own interests above others. Here is the sad truth regarding the inherent selfishness of humanity…it is a condition tenacious in its grasp on our hearts. Recently, I was working with a self-sticking screen door repair product when I found that its stickiness made it nearly impossible to use. After I removed the protective film, even though I did my best to only touch the very edge of the sticky side, I found that once I dislodged my fingers on one side, it became glued to my fingers on the other side. By the time it was applied, I had quite the sticky mess. In the same way, the stickiness of selfishness is tenacious in its resolve…and it also leaves behind quite a mess. It is for this reason that Paul pulls out the big guns for justifying his call to humility. Whose example does he call us to follow? The Creator of all that is!!! “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…he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Who can argue with this? If the Lord of all voluntarily gave up the glory and privilege due Him to die the most inglorious death for us mortals, who are we to cling to our selfishness? Yet, as persuasive as Paul’s argument may be, no one is changed by persuasion alone. It’s like trying to reason with a toddler. “Parker, you really shouldn’t put in your mouth anything and everything you pick up off of the ground.” Although, when I recently saw him chewing on Grammy’s flip-flop, I was surprised that he actually threw it down when I said, “No, yuck.” But I wouldn’t be surprised if he picked it up again once I wasn’t looking. Like a toddler, we learn to adopt certain behavior patterns when we know someone is looking, but it doesn’t mean that our desires have changed. I confess, when I see these realities at work in my own heart, it is awfully discouraging. Yet, my inspiration for this blog is actually the result of a very encouraging conversation I had with someone recently who has experienced an epiphany regarding the blessing of setting aside selfish desires to serve others. It made me think of my own inherent selfishness, specifically, with regards to my “free” time, my “me” time. We cherish time when we’re not beholden to anyone else and are free to do whatever we want to do. The testimony of this brother, however, was a change in his desires. It wasn’t giving up “free” time because he was supposed to, but because he wanted to. This is not the kind of change that results from “persuasion” of what is the “right thing to do.” This is the kind of change that only comes about by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to align our desires with the desires of God as revealed in His Word. It’s true, all of us struggle with our natural proclivity toward, “mine.” Yet, though change doesn’t come quickly, or easily, it does come as we draw near to and learn from the One who demonstrated the most profound selflessness this world has ever witnessed. May we increasingly reflect the humility, mercy and grace of our precious Savior.
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Dan GannonDan has ministered at Renton Bible Church, with his wife Debbie, since 2003. Archives
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