Death to Self

Philippians 2:8 “he humbled himself by becoming 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.” “A successful entrepreneur invited his son and daughter to apply for a job at his company upon their graduation from university. They both harbored great ambition, and the father desperately wanted to bless them both in every possible way. In his interview the son asked his father’s lieutenant about pay, vacation days, and whether he would have to work outside of office hours. In her interview, the daughter asked about the goals of the organization and what she could do to enable those. They both joined and approached their careers in very different ways. The son optimized his personal cost-benefit ratio, putting in just enough effort to fulfil his requirements, judiciously clearing all his annual leave and negotiating hard for pay raises and promotions. His sister, despite having more family commitments, managed to balance all her obligations while putting the interests of the organization above her own. The brother’s career advancement outpaced hers for several years, but her efforts, her results, and most importantly her mindset were increasingly recognized at the company. She started to get promoted ahead of her brother, enjoying the commensurate compensation and control of her time. She eventually took over as CEO while her brother, filled with rage at his lack of promotion, quit the company. He tried his hand at several jobs, but without the backing of his father, found that advancement of his interests proved even more difficult in these new companies. Lacking purpose and fulfillment, the brother became an alcoholic and fell into a deep depression. Whose self-interest was better served, the brother or the sister?” Father, you love us so much and you want nothing more than to bless us. You make it so clear that the best way to advance our self-interest is to forget about ourselves. For it is in giving that we receive. For it is in humbling ourselves that you lift us up. Thank you for this reminder today and for giving us the ultimate example of your son. I commit to join you in your work rather than use your power for my agenda, fully recognizing that a natural outflow of this attitude is abundance and fulfillment. I love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mulan & Deceipt

Psalm 89:14 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.” The other night we brought the family to watch Mulan. For some reason I was particularly moved when the evil witch told Mulan “your deceit weakens you.” It got me thinking about the role of truth in our lives. At various points, I’ve realized that I need to come clean on something specific. A few years back, God impressed it upon my heart to confess to the Harvard Coop Bookstore where I used to steal CDs 30 years ago. I called up and asked to whom I could make out a check. “Ummm, we don’t even know how to process that in our accounting system.” I got an address from the manager and sent them an apology letter with payment. At Love After Marriage, the marriage workshop that Elaine and I attended one year back, I felt God impress upon my heart that I needed to come clean about some infidelity at the beginning of our relationship. It was not easy, but Holy Spirit brought supernatural restoration and we went from the lowest low to the highest high of our entire 10 year marriage in the course of less than 48 hours. In each of these situations, life wasn’t so bad before coming clean. Mulan also demonstrated serious fighting prowess while deceiving the entire Imperial Army into thinking she was a man. But it was only after she confessed that she was allowed to fully come into alignment with her identity, and realize the fullness of her destiny. After each of my confessions, I felt a step change in my intimacy with God, and the accompanying power at my disposal. Lord thank you for reminding me that righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. You reign over all, for the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. I pray that you help me reveal any areas of required confession in my life. I desire to walk before you as an attendant of truth and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Leonard Bernstein

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” Our pastor shared this interesting anecdote during yesterday’s sermon. Leonard Bernstein, the famed composer (West Side Story) and conductor (New York Philharmonic) was once asked “what is the most difficult instrument in the orchestra?” He replied, “the second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm – that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.” In Philippians 2, Paul encourages believers to remember how we truly get ahead in life. It’s in giving up our self-interest and humbling ourselves, that God sees the maturity of our heart and raises us up. In the process, he creates a magnificent symphony for us and those around us to enjoy. Lord it’s so amazing the depth of wisdom you provided for us through the scriptures. Thank you for your love, and for reminding us of these lessons through so many different channels. I humble myself before you today and ask that you deepen my understanding of what it means to put others above myself. In your son’s name, Amen.