Let This Mind Be In You
A few years ago the company I worked for went through what they called a "restructuring", they reorganized our department in such a way that my job was not only done away with but my additional duties included tasks that I had performed in my previous position before I was promoted to a more visible role. I was being demoted in a sense and I didn't take it well. I was hurt and embarrassed and most of all filled with the arrogance that comes directly from pride. They gave me a choice, take the demotion or a severance package. Where was this coming from? I had been an exceptional employee the promotion was proof of that, my annual reviews and bonuses were evidence of my good work. Why was this happening to me? in the end I just couldn't do it, I was unwilling to live with the humiliation and I took the severance package, something I regret to this day.
It took me a long time to learn the lesson of humility. There is a reason why scripture hammers us over the head and constantly demands that we "in lowliness of mind let each other esteem other better than themselves" it's simple really. Humiliation, degradation, shame are all weapons of the wicked. Those who are enemies of God know use humiliation and degradation to subdue their enemies. They rejoice when their enemies heads are hung low, watch the last game of the NBA Finals, or the Super Bowl and you'll see it clearly. Now, I'm not saying that NBA players are wicked, nor NFL but merely that it's an example of a worldly view of victory.
Had I humbled myself on that day, regarded others as better than me and in lowliness of mind trusted the Lord to see me through a trying time at work. I would have fared much better. All in all I rejoice in knowing that the Lord loved me enough to allow me to fail because in that failure I learned a lesson that will truly keep me the most trying of circumstances in my life. Phillipians 2:5-11 says this
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Before Christ ever made it to this world He first humbled himself and took on the form of a servant, the lowest of the low, because that is the only way that I could be saved. I couldn't exalt myself to His level, He had to lower Himself to mine.
Thank You Lord
Created over 2 years ago
