Toy Stories: Ken — Provider vs. Performer - Wednesday
Today’s Verse
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (ESV)
My brother and I got stuck inside a horse trailer once.
Growing up, my family had a couple of horses, and consequently had a horse trailer. I’ll spare you the specifics, but on a hot summer day, my brother and I climbed inside the trailer, let the door close behind us, and found ourselves locked inside with no way out. Or so we thought...
There was a small window at the front of the trailer, and we realised that if we could access that small window, we could reach the latch on the door and get ourselves out. Only, there was one small problem: neither of us was as tall as a horse. We proceeded to take turns trying to jump up to the window with a running start. That didn’t work, so then we took turns trying to climb over each other. And finally, my little brother was able to hoist me up so that I could reach the window and set us free.
My brother and I ran inside, told our parents all about our hour in the horse trailer, and vowed never to go inside the trailer ever again.
And while this story is funny and silly, I will never forget the feeling I had of being enclosed and completely surrounded by this horse trailer. I was IN the horse trailer.
I have found myself IN a lot of other difficult situations, along with many great moments.
I have been IN a fight against depression.
I have been IN a group of loving friends.
I have been IN a stressful moment.
I have been IN a season of celebration.
I think we all have moments and seasons of our lives where we feel completely IN our circumstances. Absolutely surrounded and enveloped in whatever is going on, good or bad.
Yet, regardless of what season of life we find ourselves IN, I believe Paul's challenge to followers of Jesus to be IN humility transcends our circumstances.
Regardless of our circumstances, we ought to be people who are completely enveloped and surrounded by humility. And we have a really good role model to follow on this…
When Jesus was tempted in the desert, He was IN humility.
When Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees, He was IN humility.
When Jesus was at a table surrounded by his closest companions, He was IN humility.
When Jesus was dying on the cross, He was IN humility.
We can be IN a lot of different seasons of life. But let us always be IN humility just as Jesus was.
APPLICATION
Take a moment to think about what kind of moment or season of life you currently find yourself in. Ask yourself how you can also be in humility amidst whatever circumstances you find yourself surrounded by.
PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for your example of humility. Help me to be IN humility just as you were. Help me, no matter what I have going on, to be a person who is enveloped and surrounded by humility. Amen.