Life Lines

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;⁷ rather, he made himself nothing    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,    he humbled himself    by becoming obedient to death—        even death on a cross!   Philippians 4:5-8

Life is all about relationships.  Our relationships enhance our lives.  There are some people that use relationships to draw out things for themselves.  Their lives are all about them.  Their conversations revolve around themselves and their experiences.  And they hardly ever show real  interest in the other person.

All this description goes against what God says about relationships.  We are to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.  He showed what it is to have true desire for relationship with others, even for others who are estranged from us.  What does this mindset involve?

It begins with not thinking about ourselves but rather emptying ourselves of self.  Then we are free to pour into others.

It takes humility.  This is reflected more in how we relate to others.  Rather than looking to get something from others we look to serve others for their good.  And that good is found in obedience to God's will, no matter what it takes.  For Him, it was obedience to the point of dying on the cross for us.

The amazing thing about having this mindset is that we find all our relationships more fulfilling because they are valued by what we do for others rather than what we get out of them for us.  I am blessed everyday by the relationship opportunities God gives me.  I pray that I may be found faithful for these special gifts from God.  They are the essence of life.