I work at a doctor’s office and meet all sorts of people. All sorts. Within maybe thirty seconds of picking up a call, I am able to tell how this conversation will go. Tone, words, sighs, etc tell me all i need to know. The challenge for me is to care for each person, listen to their needs, and figure the next step. In a doctor’s office, there is no same phone call.
Frequently my angst is raised as I think, based on a response by a co-worker or patient, that they do not think I am capable. Oh, I hate that. A patient yesterday asked me if I understood what he was saying. Even now, if I was a cat (I’m not and I’m not sure this is an adequate metaphor), my hair would be raised UP HIGH. Or I make a mistake, frequently. Oy.
As I was driving home, I was complaining to the Lord about this. That it is not fair. I am capable. And then I was reminded of verses I am memorizing/meditating upon.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:3-8 NASB1995
Empty conceit. At the end of the day, the opinions of those who know me and love me is far more important than a patient. In the moment, though, I want to fight for my rights! I want people to know me. Okay, I just wrote an entire couple of sentences defending myself. moving on…
Humility of mind. Regarding others as more important than you. Stop there for a minute. Read that again. That means the next phone call you make/receive, whoever is on the other end, is worthy of your respect and attention. Think with me, every person on this planet is made in the image of God. Not only that, we are to look out for other’s interests.
Regard one another as more important than yourselves. Can you do that? Can we do that with the rude driver who weaved in front of me with two inches of room? Can we do that when we are criticized? Can we do that when we are humbled by harsh words or actions? You know what comes to mind with that, if we began with humility of mind, what changes here?
And we are called to have the same attitude as Christ.
Attitude: φρονέω phronéō, fron-eh’-o; from G5424; to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):—set the affection on, (be) care(-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think.
Be of the same mind as Christ. Our example is Christ and we know how that went. Humbled to death on a cross, fit for a criminal, Christ gave all. And today, as we fear our country is going under if (fill in the blank) is elected, remember who is truly on the throne.
Keep coming back to the words of Psalm 74:
“Yet God is my king from of old, Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth. You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. You broke open springs and torrents; You dried up ever-flowing streams. Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun. You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter.”
Psalms 74:12-17 NASB1995
Know your king. Remind yourself today who is on the throne.
Leave A Reply