Do I have the 'Mindset of Christ'?

During this Advent Season, while listening a Christmas Meditation based on the 2nd Chapter of Philippians, I was reminded that as a Chapter Sponsor I pray for my students and their families, lead by example, and serve regularly. I have been called to have the same mindset as Christ.

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

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:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

Sometimes when I work so hard to serve my RI HOPE Chapter families, I get discouraged because I do not see progress and I grumble to God. Then I have to check my attitude and give RI HOPE to the Lord.

• Am I doing this “out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” ? Struggling with PRIDE OR

• doing this “in humility value[ing] others above [myself], not looking to [my] own interests but … to the interests of the others.” ?

• Do I have the “Mindset of Christ”?

• Made Himself Nothing

• Took on the nature of a Servant

• Humble Himself

• Obedient unto death

• Am I working out my salvation with fear and trembling?

• Am I allowing God to work in me and act in order to fulfill His purpose?

When I can answer these tough questions honestly, I can do everything without grumbling.

Mary Gunther sent “The Gift of Reflection” and I thought about this past year and wrote down 11 of the biggest wins for RI HOPE. Last week the Student Leader break out session theme was “CELEBRATE”

We have a choice:

• Dwell on the things that are not going perfectly and get discouraged (ie grumble) OR

• See how God let us “shine like stars in the sky” as we hold firmly to Him (the word of life)

This Advent Season, Let’s Celebrate the “WINS”

Meditate on Christ with Dean Davis - Free Introduction to Christian Meditation (Dean tells his story in a 15 minute video) https://meditateonchrist.com/meditations/christmas/

#Christmas #Advent #Philipians2