The Baby & The Bathwater – Build a Strong Church - Monday
Today’s Verse
Philippians 2:3-5
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. (NIV)
This past Sunday, we were given an incredibly poignant and, at the same time, bittersweet illustration of the very thing I had hoped to write about this week: the importance of building a strong church through humility and servant leadership. It was a moment that made it abundantly clear just how much we need to shift our focus from ourselves to others, especially within the context of the church community.
Today’s culture seems to champion isolation, introspection, and self-seeking behavior. We live in a time that promotes looking inward for satisfaction, often forsaking community and connection. Whether it’s through the dissolution of relationships, the complacency of apathy, the distractions that plague our daily lives, or whatever else, we see an increasing number of people retreating into selfishness in search of meaning, fulfillment, or security.
But God’s plan for His people—the Church—is very different. He calls us to look outward, not inward; to consider the needs of others before our own, to lift up the culture and people around us rather than isolate ourselves from it. I find myself reflecting on this often, particularly through today’s verse in Philippians. It’s humbling to recognize how often my perspective needs to be realigned when it comes to the way I perceive others’ actions.
This week I hope to provide further examples of ways the church can benefit from the unique way you were created and the unique way you can use your life and get involved to strengthen the Church.
REFLECTION
Are you sitting on the sidelines of life looking inward? How can you spend time this week considering the value you can offer others around you by serving them and considering their needs greater than yours? My challenge is that you continue reading these devotions this week and find ways to make a difference starting this year!
