Morning Moments

Philippians 2:8 (KJV)
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

What an amazing statement this is regarding the one single thing the Father asks of His Son. It can all be summed up in this word obedience. "...obedience is better than sacrifice and to harken than the fat of rams."

Everything about Jesus as a man demonstrated his obedience to his Father God, even though it cost him his life in the most excruciatng of all deaths. If you could ask Jesus "why" regarding any aspect of his life as a man wholly devoted to God, he would answer in a word - obedience. His was not mere external submission with internal resistance as ours sometimes is. His obedience was one of heartfelt love for Father God.

Obedience demands humility and humility honors our Father who resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

I get so sick of arrogant politicians, atheletes, or anyone else entrusted with leadership when they cannot follow. I have always said that if you won't to know if you have a rebellious spirit, have someone tell you "no" about something want and think you deserve. Selfishness is usually drawn out when someone's authority is challenged or when one's "rights" are threatened.

My feet were filled with gout and I could hardly walk. I stopped at the post office to deposit some mail. I have a handicap tag that I can hang on my mirror when needed, but I don't usually use it because I can still hobble usually. I have no cushion in my feet, they are filled with arthritus and there are times when I cannot walk at all. As I hobbled to the door of the post office, I noticed a car in the handicap parking with no tag and with a young girl about to get out of the car. I watched her walk into the post office and come out without a limp. I looked behind the car - no handicap license plate. I looked at the dash and the mirror - no handicap tag. She noticed me looking and rolled her window down and shouted, "I know what you are looking for you racist." I leaned over and said, "M'am, I am almost 70 years of age and have lots of reasons as well as a handicap tag that I rarely use. I don't care if you are black, white, red, or yellow. Obedience to the law has nothing to do with race, nor does consideration for those who are truly handicapped." With that she sped off.

True obediece comes from a heart of humility that has a clear understanding that it is best for me, it honors God, and displays a willingness to work with and serve others.

So what if we do not get the parking place we want? What if we don't get the raise we think we deserve? What if we don't get the respect we work hard for? So what if we are benevolent and humanitarian? So what if we are "in charge"? If God is our Father and Jesus Christ is our LORD, we are to obey Him regardless of our "rights" and/or "priviledges". It doesn't matter who we are or what our position in life is, to live the Chirst Life is to humble oneself, even unto death, for He humbled Himself in OBEDIENCE unto the death of the cross.

BLESSINGS!