DAY 22 - HUMILITY

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,

    he did not think of equality with God

    as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

    he took the humble position of a slave

    and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

    he humbled himself in obedience to God

    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

    and gave him the name above all other names,

    that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

    and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Humility, as this passage about Jesus clearly illustrates, is a choice he made. He did not have to give up his divine privileges. He chose to give them up. His life was not taken from him. He chose to die on the cross. If Jesus, who is God himself, can chose to humble himself the writer of Philippians says we must also choose the attitude of humility. If we demand the respect due to us, the rights that are ours, the possessions that belong to us, we may have those things taken from us. But if we chose to give up respect, rights, or possessions for the glory of God, we gain a place in eternity with Jesus Christ that cannot be taken from us.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Today give up one right which is yours. Perhaps it is as simple as your place in line at the store.

Prayer: God, help me to allow the attitude of humility to be normal for me as it was for Christ.

Bob Peden