Simply Obey

If we go to Philipians chapter 2 we find that Jesus did two very important things:

1. "made himself of no reputation"
2. "became obedient unto death"

If anyone had "bragging rights", He was it! Yet He became flesh and set aside His rights as God Almighty, robed Himself in flesh, so that He could relate to us. Why is it that we, who are just stinkin' flesh, struggle so tirelessly with our reputations and obedience? It's always about "us", "our rights"... hmmmm... makes me think!

I love this whole chapter, but to shorten this post, I will share only a few verses from The Message:

"Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion."

I Samuel 15:22 says "obedience is better than sacrifice..."

There are things that He will require of us that won't always make sense at the time, but I want to be obedient to Him because I love Him. ...not because I'm a "rule follower" following a hard taskmaster. I simply love Him and want to be pliable in His hands. Lord, help me not look for ways to do less than you require of me or just enough to get by. Your sacrifice was greater than my mind can comprehend. Let me serve You in whatever way I can to at least TRY to convey my gratitude to You!