Down to get up--Philippians 2

From his prison cell, Paul writes to the Philippians, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves."

Apparently, Paul had received word about what was happening in the church at Philippi. We don't know exactly what the conflict there was about, but there was division and contention of some kind. Paul calls for unity and humility. As an illustration of the humility he encourages, Paul points to Christ "who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on the cross."

We've heard this text many times and have read the early creeds, so this christological hymn doesn't strike us as odd perhaps, but to the Greco-Roman mind, this notion of a heavenly being taking on human form to be humiliated and shamed in the worst possible way--death on the cross--was ludicrous. Developing and maintaining one's honor and good name in the community was very important. We speak of societal pressure to climb the corporate ladder in today's world. Well for the ancients, it was social necessity.

But Jesus didn't climb; he descended. It was through this shameful defeat that God lifts Jesus up and gives him a name higher than any other, "that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord."

How might God be calling you now to descend, even when every fiber of your being longs to ascend, to be strong and to dominate? Where do you need to listen rather than speak? To whom do you need to say, I was wrong?

Humility scares us because it always is accompanied by vulnerability. Yet, that is the Jesus way.  

I'm Here for You--Philippians 1:21-26

For to me living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to remain in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire to depart and be with Christ for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy and faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

The life of an Apostle, for Paul, was a life of suffering. He's writing to the Philippians from the deprivation of prison. He mentions elsewhere his many hardships: countless floggings, stonings, shipwrecks, hunger, thirst, nakedness. It's clear that Paul needs to retain a life coach. Things don't seem to be going too well.

No wonder he ponders the options. If he dies in prison (which certainly eventually happened), then he will be joyfully with Christ. If he remains alive, he can more fully fulfill his mission as an Apostle but, no doubt, he will continue to suffer. What would be best? Interpreters have wondered whether Paul is just turning these ideas over in his head or if he actually is trying to decide to live or die.

A central them in this letter to the Philippians is joy. The word occurs over and over again. Paul makes the decision to continue in the flesh for the joy of encouraging and strengthening the Philippians in the faith. He has a purpose, a calling, a responsibility. And though he suffers, he finds that joy emerges even from the most painful places of his life, because he is needed.

When Fred Rogers received an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement in 1997, he said: "We've all had special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, 10 seconds to think about the people who have helped you be who your are? Those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for your life." After the silence, he said: "Whomever you've been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they've made."

Who has encouraged you and shaped you into the person you've become? Is there a way you can express your gratitude to them? Who is with you now that you can nurture and encourage? May you find joy as you fulfill this purpose for your life.
 

Vacation Thoughts

I took some time off in August to go to California with my family. My oldest daughter, Ali, returned home in early August from spending a year in Chicago with Mission Year. It was good to be able to spend time with her again. Of course, riding in a minivan for 30 hours with a family of six in hot California is a pretty intensive way to re-integrate into the family, but all in all we had a great time connecting with each other as well as with extended family who live in California.

Tomorrow is the centennial worship service at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church where I serve as pastor. As I look forward to tomorrow, I find that I have plenty for which to be thankful--a church that has served faithfully for 100 years in north Seattle and a houseful of loving family who are all together again. God is good.

May you find peace this day and be aware of God's goodness to you.