Daily devotional · July 22
The Downward Way
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.”
Paul asks the church to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but in humility to consider others better than themselves. That is not an invitation to low self-esteem; it is a shift of attention, from what I can gain to what others need. Then he points to Jesus, who had every right to hold onto his place with God, yet emptied himself, took the form of a servant, and humbled himself even to death. The greatest one chose the lowest position. If that is the pattern, our ambition should look different from the world's. Today, look for a small opportunity to serve without being noticed: hold a door, do a chore that is not yours, listen without interrupting. Let go of the need for credit, and notice how freeing it is to let someone else be seen.
Prayer
Jesus, servant of all, give me your humble mind. Let me serve without needing credit.