Day 32 — No, You Go First
Philippians 2: 3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
We can all do the act of putting people first, holding the door open and smiling, knowing we’ve done a nice thing. But how can we live so that these aren’t merely gestures of good will, but instead the act of ‘putting others first’ becomes core to who we are?
In today’s passage, Paul’s words are sharp and direct to the Church. He knew this way of living was key for the body to flourish – and key for the lost coming to know Jesus. Paul lays out the truth to the church back then – and to us – recognising what Jesus did. Jesus lived a life of putting others first, to the extent of humbling himself to death on a cross, so that we could be free from sin and have eternal life in heaven. Jesus paid the ultimate cost. Paul is pleading with the Church to never lose sight of what Jesus has done.
We’re desperate to see people come to know Jesus for themselves, and we also want to show people how much God loves them. I’ve been so encouraged by how the wider Church has stood up and put the needs of the community, and others, first. We’ve heard incredible stories through ‘Love Your Neighbour’ of how valuable the food parcels have been and heard the appreciation in some of the phone calls from local people.
As we look towards the possibility of coming out of lockdown, as individuals and as a Church, let’s continue to grow in the attitude of laying ourselves down and putting others first as Jesus did. Let ‘Love Your Neighbour’ not be a social action project, a thing for then - but instead let it become a cry of the heart for every day.
Let us today consider our neighbours, the people we have contact with and reflect how we might show them the love of Jesus. Let God work in our hearts and deepen our compassion for others.
Prayer: Father help us to see people as you do. Deepen the compassion within our hearts. Amen.
James Leavy
Leadership Team