Across the Pastor’s Desk

By the Rev. Matt Hundley, Albert Lea Vineyard Church

This past Sunday I was teaching from Philippians 2: 5-9 which says, “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 found in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name…”

What, in my opinion, would help begin to radically change the direction our country is heading is a good dose of humility. Not necessarily as a whole country, but beginning at the grassroots level, with individuals. If each of us thought less of ourselves, and more of God and others, we would find ourselves less fearful. We would find the reinvention of community and trust. We might even find that as we seek to obey the “Greatest Commandment” to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, that it makes the second commandment, “to love your neighbor as yourself” possible. I know, I sound like a Utopian dreamer, but isn’t the reason God calls us to something beyond ourselves is because it shows us how desperately we need God to be the center of our lives and when God is there, the rest begins to work as it was created to? It may be an out there idea, it may even offend your sense of pride to lower yourself to serve others instead of being served. What do we have to lose in trying?

Really, being selfish and prideful hasn’t really created the kind of future we all hoped for, has it? Perhaps, just perhaps, God knows a bit more of how to make life work. Maybe we should return to the ancient wisdom of God, seeking to serve rather than be served. What have we got to lose?