Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
The NLT version of this text says:
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
When I read that, I think “I do that.” For the most part. But when I read the ESV version, I stop. I pause to consider what it means to think of others more significant than myself. And I don’t think I do. The difference between the two versions is subtle. And maybe for some, it’s not a big deal. But I began to wonder.
When I help someone that is in need. Am I doing it because I see them as more significant or because I am more significant because I can?
When I follow what God is telling me to do and I see others that aren’t, who do I put in the “more significant” category?
When I do the ministry that God is calling me to, does the thought creep into my mind that I am significant because I do it? Where does that put everyone else?
Then, I start thinking about Jesus. He was more significant - way more significant because he was God. And yet, when I think of my relationship with him, when I think of how much he loves me, I don’t feel insignificant at all. He loved me so well that even when I compare myself to HIM, I still feel significant.
I want to love others like that. I want to love so well, like Jesus did, that no matter what I am doing, who I am interacting with or what I am thinking, they feel truly significant.
Lord Jesus, I need your help.