Have you ever wondered why human relations take on so many different forms? If we are being observant, we see as many variations in relationships as there are colors in the spectrum. The range is mindboggling.
We chock the variations up to each person being unique, and they are. We simply accept that not every person will like or get along with every other person. Unfortunately, by making this assumption, we are settling for less than God intended.
You see, God put us here to be an aid to one another from the very beginning (Genesis 2:18-23). We are made to care for one another. If we think not, all we need to do is think about a situation when someone is truly in trouble and observe others coming to help.
Yet, we allow ourselves to be enticed by our fear and selfishness, causing us to shun our care for others. Our created being is tainted by the evil in this world. It is a learned behavior for the vast majority of us. Again, if you don’t think so, think about a newborn.
God provided us with a perfect example in His Son, Jesus. We are called to be like Him in our relationships. We see in today’s passage that Jesus came to be the perfect servant. It is too bad we have attributed a negative connotation to being a servant.
A true servant, such as Jesus, recognizes God is the master. As we look at Jesus’ life, we don’t see God ordering Him around, rather we see Jesus taking God’s intent, understanding the end goal, and taking the initiative to accomplish it. This reminds me of my days in the Marine Corps. We were taught to understand the commander’s intent, then further develop a plan to accomplish the goal. We are called to do the same.
How does this correlate to our relationships? Jesus knew God’s desire to have each person turn to Him. He knew He was to show others who God was. He loved and cared for those in need around Him. We are called to do the same. And here is the kicker…we all are in need. This means each one of us are called to serve one another. When we all serve one another, we are all served.
I pray we all take on the nature of Jesus. I pray we become servants of God. I pray each one of us determine to view one another as Jesus views us. Be like Jesus. Take on Jesus’ mindset. See the needs. Serve the needs you see. Humble yourself.
Philippians 2:5-8 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Marty Pressey 