A Selah Moment
Are you ever just in awe of Jesus? Sometimes, I’ll be reading my Bible and will just have to stop and experience a moment of wonder at who our God is. I have to take a Selah moment.
My Selah Moment
I was recently reading through Philippians and I had to stop and be in awe of Christ when I read this passage:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV)
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!”
This passage goes on to talk about Christ being exalted and that every knee will bow before Him. While all of that language is amazing, meditating on His humility is utterly awe-inspiring to me.
Jesus, the Christ, God Himself chose to humble Himself. He didn’t come to this earth and take up power or gain riches. Instead, Jesus chose to be a poor servant. He traveled around preaching to and healing people, not for wealth or notoriety or to make a following for Himself. Jesus did it out of service to these people, those who would come after them, and the entire world.
All of the power of God within Him, the Holy Spirit leading and guiding Him, the Father’s pleasure with Him wherever He went, and Jesus chose humble service.
Pondering My Selah Moment
I think part of the reason why this passage stands out to me so much is that I know how difficult it is to do. I don’t want to be humble, and I don’t always want to serve others. I want to be right all the time (which I’m not), and I want to be comfortable. But that’s not following in the footsteps of Christ.
When I read the Bible I realize that I’m not alone in my pride and desire for control and comfort. Jesus’ own disciples seemed to have thought about this with some frequency. In Matthew 18, they ask who will be the greatest in heaven. Jesus responds:
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:3-5 (NIV)
In other passages, Jesus shares that the last will be first and the first will be last. Over and over again, Jesus reiterates how important humble service is in the life of a Christian. He models this behavior for His followers and then tells them to do the same. And I believe He’s inviting us to do the same today.
Throughout the gospel accounts, we read about Jesus healing those that society had cast aside. He welcomed hated and marginalized people to be His friends. Jesus didn’t seek wealth or power or fame. Instead, He found Himself in the presence of the least of these, serving them, welcoming them, and caring for them.
Join the Conversation
This year, I want to be more intentional to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who humbly served those who had been marginalized by society. And I invite you to do the same.
Who are “the least of these” in your community? Maybe it’s an underfunded school in your area, or the unhoused population, or refugees who are new to this country. Perhaps it looks like volunteering at a local food bank or caring for the families of those who are incarcerated. There are so many needs in our communities today, and we have the opportunity to look like Jesus to our neighbors in need.
May we be filled with the Holy Spirit to move, just as Jesus did, toward our neighbors in humble service. And may we become more like Christ in the process.
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Sarah! This is just what my heart needed to hear! Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your heart! I desperately want to be more intentional this year as well!
Praying that this year is just that for you as well.