Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

The Japanese is a little bit richer than the NIV here, saying, “Have this attitude among you, just as it can be seen in Christ Jesus.” This isn’t just an individual thing, but something for the whole body of believers. The poem/hymn that follows is justly famous as a description of the heart of Christ in coming to earth to be our Savior, but the Japanese also points to the verses ahead of this, that speak of unselfish unity. We aren’t going to be expressing the character of Christ if we are envious of each other, in rivalry, jockeying for position. The chief characteristic of Christ that comes out in the verses that follow is humility, and we should be no different. This doesn’t mean denying the things God has given us, whether they be physical abilities or skills or even appearance, but it does mean that we don’t place ourselves ahead, even or especially in our own minds, of those who are differently gifted. That tends to fly in the face of human nature, or the expectations of society. It can be difficult to be humble if you always come in first in a particular kind of competition – and competition is a part of life. The answer isn’t “participation trophies,” as are currently in vogue in American schools, but rather in recognizing that different abilities don’t mean different value as human beings. Skillful players are valued on a team, but there is no team without the other members as well. The Church is representative of all mankind, with the full gamut of everything. All of us are created by God in His love, and all of us are necessary parts of His plan. We need to rejoice to contribute what God has placed in us, and encourage and praise what God has placed in our brothers and sisters as well.

I will never forget something that happened during my second visit to the US, when I was 10 years old. The pastor of the church we attended was named John, and there was another John in the church who had cerebral palsy. This second John would station himself in the foyer every Sunday morning, welcoming all who came in with a genuine joy that was contagious. One day one of the church officers died suddenly of a heart attack, a very respected man in the community, of comfortable means and with a family. John the greeter went to John the pastor in tears, saying, “Why couldn’t it have been me? I have no family or place in society, but he was valuable!” John the pastor told him, “John, more people know your face and your voice in this church than that man, and probably than me. You are the face of Jesus to those who enter this building.” I know of that interchange because the pastor shared it in a subsequent message, and I cannot recall it without tears, because indeed John the greeter’s face is etched in my memory, fully as much as that of John the pastor. I pray that I never forget that lesson, but indeed have the attitude of Christ.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the many experiences You have used to shape me. May none of them be wasted. May I indeed be transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus my Lord, (2 Corinthians 3:18) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!