The Journey

A few Sundays ago in our series in Philippians, Pastor Jonathan spoke on some of the most challenging Scripture for me (2:5-11). In this passage, the author, Paul, challenges the Philippians to be like Christ by putting the interests of others before their own. Putting others before me or humility seems to be the opposite of what I am told by the culture that constantly surrounds and influences me.

Looking back on my four years in college, they may have the peak of feeling the cultural pressure to do the opposite of putting others interests before my own. Get into the best school. Make the grade at any cost. Pad the resume. Nail the interview. Graduate at the top of the class. Get the job. Get into the best grad school. These only a few examples of the voices that I heard during school that encouraged me to “look out for Number One”, me.

Yet, despite the appeal of these pursuits, I know that the average college student wants to believe that their purpose in life is bigger than being on the track to health, wealth, and power. But even in my attempts to “make a difference in the world”, I found that I was only trying to appease my guilt or build my reputation.

The humility that Paul calls us to in Philippians 2 is truly counter-cultural. He points out that Jesus was a humble servant even to the point of death. There was no recognition or praise from men. In fact, he was mocked up until the last moments of his life. He served others out of obedience toward God and for sake of others. Jesus never “looked out for Number One.”

On your campus, where everyone is trying to get ahead, what if you put the interests of others before your own in the manner of Jesus? It would be transforming.