St. James United Methodist Church recently issued the following announcement.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5, NIV)
Dear friends,
Relationships are always easier when they start—whether it’s a new friendship, a first date, or even new marriage. People have the best of intentions as if the relationship will never end. On the other side, long term relationships also seem easier, as if there is a permanence to them.The real trick is getting to the long term and that means getting to know and accept faults, quirks, changing interests and changing circumstances. When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he was writing to his friends and he was concerned with building the church for the long term. He knew that before it could ever be an institution, it had to be about relationships between people in the context of their identities as Jesus disciples. If they could just adopt the mind of Christ and his attitude as it’s described in verses 6-8 of Philippians 2, the would have a much easier time achieving this. Establishing a long term relationship always means giving up a piece of yourself to the other person—it’s a mutual exchange of time and respect and trust. We are Jesus’ disciples and when we know that the other person has adopted the mind of Christ and when that person can trust that we have as well, long term relationships that glorify God are possible. I urge you to do the difficult thing—adopt the mind of Christ by taking to heart the characteristics Paul describes in Philippians 2. It will help us as congregations to weather the storms that so often destroy relationships and communities, even in this fraught time in which we all live. And more than that, it will give us valuable life-long friendships that bring us closer to God.
With grace and peace,
Pastor Matt
Original source can be found here.
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