Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 12-11-20

Philippians 3:12-16
12 I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. 13 I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. 14 I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. 15 So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires,[running this direction] God will reveal it to them. 16 And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion.

One of the true mark of a Christian in the loving hands of Father God is humility; Christ is humble, gentle, meek, and lowly. Humility is a heart attitude not only an outward demeanor. Jesus humbled himself in order to follow the Father’s plan for his death on the cross in saving his human creation. In his saving grace, we remain vessels in our Father’s hands who need regeneration and ongoing restoration. Humility helps us be submissive to God’s pruning and shaping of our lives; we acknowledge Father knows best. Humility helps us to be more compassionate with one another while we endure God’s grooming process; we acknowledge humility is the attitude that brings more grace and power into our own lives. We all desperately need God’s grace.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul demonstrates humility. He is humble—open and honest before God and others—about the fact that Father is still grooming and shaping him. He is bold, yet humble. Paul has not reached the fullness of God’s abundance, but he runs with passion toward it and he encourages others to do the same. Put on the humility of Christ and let’s run together, my friends!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for demonstrating true humility for all your children. May my heart remain humble before you as you shape and prune my life for the work of your hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.