“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.” Philippians 2:3–4
He washes their feet… he prepares to die for them. The exemplar of true humility.
To value humility today is to act counterculturally. We’re told by endless advertising campaigns that we’re worth it, and that we should treat ourselves to the things we desire – even if we have to step over others to get them. In the cut-throat world of business, humility can be viewed as weakness. That’s certainly portrayed in Hollywood films as well. But Jesus exemplifies true strength. Though the strongest man in the world, he became the weakest – and in the process turned the wisdom of the world on its head.
Paul wanted the church at Philippi to stop bickering and acting selfishly. Later in the letter (4:2–3) he names two women who had been sparring, pleading with them to stop, for he knew that the infighting was detracting from the mission of the church.
So too with us. I could recount many stories where I put myself first. No doubt my husband could corroborate, and dig out some anecdotes that I forgot. But I take comfort knowing that God is in the business of transformation. When he leads us to value others more than ourselves, we begin to see their needs and discover opportunities to serve. And when we open our eyes and our hearts to those around us, God pours out his blessings on us. He still turns that worldly wisdom upside down.
Lord God, forgive us for putting our own needs first. Help us to rejoice at the success of others. Amen.
One of the joys of my portfolio lifestyle is the commissioning/acquisitions editorial work I get to do with Authentic Media. Like working with the amazing Conrad Gempf, whose book on the apostle Paul you really shouldn’t miss. Conrad has graciously agreed for me to post his amusing rendition of one of those publisher lunches…
“Well, first of all,” Amy began, “How great you all could make it!”
Nods and smiles all around the table, except John, gazing thoughtfully out the window.
“And I guess,” she continued, “that you were all as excited as I was to receive Mark’s….” she elongated the name, turning toward Mark, beaming, as he looked down, slightly embarrassed “…first few chapters. Weren’t they super? So how is work going with all of you?”
Photo by Geoff Peters 604 as found on Flickr
Mark, breathless, before anyone else could speak: “You know, I just sat down and right away I knew what I had to say. I just had to start with John and bam then Jesus comes along and next thing you know he’s out there doing miracles and right away the disciples come along and they start to mess things up and Jesus immediately corrects them and leads them further till they get to Jerusalem and the whole thing. It’s really written itself.”
“So, uh,” Luke turned to Mark with narrowed eyes, “just how far along into the story are you?”
“Oh, I’m done,” Mark said, “well… pretty much done. I just can’t quite think of an ending…”
“That’s great!” said Amy, “I’m sure one will come to you. What about the rest of you? How far along are you, Matthew?”
“I found Mark’s chapters a great inspiration,” Matthew said, “I guess I’m about halfway through now. I couldn’t help feeling, though, that Jesus’ teaching deserved more space, so I’m trying to work in some of the big sermons.”
“Right…” said Amy, encouraging but warning at the same time, “But we want to keep that story moving along, too, right?”
Mark nodding in agreement with Amy, at the others.
“Well, that’s why I spread that teaching around more,” said Luke, “Rather than discrete subsections all in one place. I’ve also found a lot of revealing evidence from before Jesus’ ministry that sets the whole matter in context.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Luke, “There is suggestive and useful material about his parents and when he was a child and all…”
“And the wise men who visited,” said Matthew. “Like the Queen of Sheba visiting Solomon,” he said more softly, almost dreamily.
“We should definitely look at those stories and see if they help,” said Amy, already turning her gaze on the silent member of the party, “What about you, John? Don’t be shy… Have you started right in with a bang like Mark? Or are you finding other early stories, too?”
“Well, it seems to me…” began John; but just then the waitress arrived at the table, set a pitcher of water down and said, “Hi everybody! Ready to order at all, or do you need a few more minutes?”
The boys let Amy order first.
“The goat’s cheese salad please,” she said, “and could you put the dressing on the side?”
The waitress wrote then looked at Matthew.
“The pastrami on rye, please,” he said, finger on the place in the menu, “Light on the mustard, please.”
The waitress nodded with a smile and turned to Mark.
“Bangers and mash… wait… no.. Fish and chips!” roared Mark, very nearly smacking his lips, “Sounds great. Is there vinegar?”
“Yes, sir,” said the waitress, scribbling and looking up.
“I’ll have the veal parmesan, please,” said Luke, nose in the menu, “with the tagliatelle,” looking up: “with simple olive sauce rather than more tomato sauce if that’s alright?” then looking back down after a nod from the waitress, “Tell me about the seasonal vegetables: what have you got today? Are they fresh?”
She recited her list, having just received it a few minutes earlier from cook.
“That sounds acceptable,” Luke said, finishing by closing his menu with a flourish.
Everyone turned to John. He looked at them.
“Hmmm? What?” he said.
“Time to order, John,” said Luke helpfully.
“Ah, yes. Well, young lady,” he said, looking into the waitress’s eyes, “I’ve looked at the whole menu…” she nodded and smiled. He smiled back, “And then,” he said, eyes twinkling, “at the specials board. Your chef,” he said, “he’s really all about the roasts, isn’t he?”
“He is,” the waitress said with an air of fondness in her voice.
“And, unless I’m mistaken, specializes in and favours the lamb?”
“Why… yes… but how did you….?”
“Then by all means, let me have that!” said John, satisfied and leaned back.
“Should we order some wine?” Matthew asked the others.
John glanced at the pitcher of water and smirked, saying, “Yes. Let’s.”
Amy took a deep breath and said, “Now; we need to think of a title.”
Happier moments on the school run with CutiePyeGirl
The morning school run can be a most dreaded experience. It’s certainly not something I anticipated would be such a big part of my life. In America, people generally don’t walk to school, the ubiquitous yellow school bus doing away with parents needing to deposit their children at school each day. Not so in Britain, where the School Run is an institution. A daily time of sweet engagement with one’s offspring. Right? Or, as the case this week, meltdowns. And that’s not even the behavior of the kids.
Yep, I lost my patience yesterday and today. Yesterday with PyelotBoy, and today with CutiePyeGirl. Autonomy is important to PyelotBoy; he doesn’t like to be told what to do, and being instructed to wear a coat on a rainy morning can make life spiral downwards. Today CutiePyeGirl decided that she’s outgrown her Princess scooter and now will be laughed at by her friends, so using said scooter for the mile walk to school was a tear-filled experience, amplified by her stepping in poo and scooting through a massive puddle, with ramifications on both counts.
My daughter isn’t too old yet to reject the idea of me giving her a huge hug and whispering a prayer in her ear once we got through the school gates (phew, on time even with the challenges). I hope she’ll shake off the trials of the morning, as my son did yesterday (he seemed fine mid-morning when I dropped off the forgotten piano books – another sign of us not being on the ball). I know she’s tired; we’re nearing the half-term break, which we all seem to need during this busy autumn.
But as I think about this week and the school run, I sigh and ask God to forgive me for losing my cool with the kids. What do I need to do differently? How can I reign in my tongue? How can I impart fun and creative memories of this time I have with my kids? A season I know will soon pass. As I consider this season before God, I think of how he’s the perfect parent, never losing his cool with me. I’m grateful for that, and pray that I can pass along some of his divine love to my family.
So how about you? Do you do the school run, and if so, what tips do you have for making it a creative, happy experience? How do you keep your cool when you’re tired, not wanting to be late, and knowing your hair is going crazy in the mist?
“…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:2
Rublev’s icon of the Trinity – the gold standard of like-mindedness
“What do you have in mind?” one friend asks the others as they decide where to go out to eat. A trivial example, admittedly, but when friends reach a common mind, the chosen restaurant can foster a setting for rich conversation and communion. Whereas if one person claims not to care, or doesn’t voice their desires out of fear, he or she may end up stewing all evening, affecting the mood of everyone.
Here the apostle Paul tells the believers at Philippi to put aside their individual agendas and concerns in favor of those of their neighbours. As they each seek the mind of Christ, they will be brought together in a common purpose. With the Holy Spirit living and breathing through them, they will find unity with each other. The comfort, compassion, tenderness, and love they receive from God is what they can pass on to strangers and neighbors.
Being like-minded with those whom we live or work or worship can, of course, be a challenge. We all have our own ideas about what constitutes right living, and often we don’t hold back from sharing with others – whether which is the right way to fold the clothes or mow the lawn or manage a project.
Is there a “difficult” person in your life? If so, perhaps this week you could challenge yourself to seek unity with them on just one issue.
Father God, in you we live and move and have our being. May we gain the mind of Christ. Amen.
The Lord is my publisher, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie in cozy studies,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of rejection,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your commissions and reviews,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my critics.
You anoint my hand with ink;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the publishing house of the Lord
forever.
(Inspired by Jonathan Burnside)
PS Can you guess whose study that is? Pretty sure he wouldn’t have claimed this psalm as his own…
True confessions. I didn’t always like Christian fiction. But several years ago I agreed to write a feature article for the then UK-Christian-trade-publishing magazine, and found my prejudices were proven wrong. Mostly.
When I wasn’t looking, Christian fiction grew up. Gone (again, mostly) were the formulaic last-minute conversions and marriages. Instead I found strong characters and insightful themes, with Christian truths appearing in a graceful manner.
Some Christian publishers promote their titles as “fiction with a U-certificate” (or Stateside, rated G). This resonates with the post from a lively discussion about Christian fiction (too American? too twee? too easy of endings?) on the Woman Alive Book Club Facebook group: “I generally tend towards Christian novels as I dislike reading sensual scenes and about the championing of worldly values. I get enough of the later every day just out and about town!” I agree, but wouldn’t want to have to choose between Christian and general fiction.
When reading twenty novels for the writing of the feature, my love of Lisa Samson’s novels was reaffirmed. She weaves themes, characters, time periods, and places together into stories out of the ordinary. Here’s my review of two of hers.
Resurrection in May follows a spoiled young woman to Rwanda where she helps out a Christian mission. She refuses to leave during the genocide and witnesses her whole village being slaughtered, only just managing to escape alive.
This is a thought-provoking and gripping novel. The characters were believable and authentic, and the sweet truths of the gospel emerge not only through the pain and heartache but through the healing that eventually comes. The ending is good and not trite, with some interesting twists.
Embrace Me is another unusual story. The publisher’s promotional copy says, “When a ‘lizard woman,’ a self-mutilating preacher, a tattooed monk, and a sleazy lobbyist find themselves in the same North Carolina town one winter, their lives are edging precariously close to disaster . . . and improbably close to grace.” Make you want to rush out and buy it? No, me neither. But I had an advance copy that didn’t name this lizard woman, and I’ve enjoyed Lisa Samson’s works in the past. So I dived in. And I read and pondered and mused and was moved. I didn’t want it to end.
She weaves the stories of several individuals throughout this novel, jumping back and forth in time in a way that doesn’t jar. She is a poster girl of the writing adage, “Show, don’t tell,” as she leads the reader into a gentle exploration of the lives and emotions of the characters. Nor does Lisa give cookie-cutter solutions or resolutions; her writing doesn’t come across as in-your-face-black-and-white, but as orthodox shades of grey. She explores issues of Protestant versus Catholic beliefs (in a gracious way), community, social justice, lies and falsehood and confession, forgiveness and freedom. All without the reader really realizing that she’s delving so deeply into these subjects.
The book opens from the point of view of Drew in 2002, a megachurch preacher who has holed himself away in a rundown motel in Ocean City, Maryland. He has run from the lies of his life, and is so numb that he can only feel when he burns himself with cigarettes. In this state, he turns to a Catholic priest, making his confession through letters (yes, unusual for a Protestant preacher, but as I said this is no ordinary novel). Then in the next chapter we jump forward to 2008 and the point of view of Valentine, a deeply scarred woman who appears as a lizard creature in a circus freak show. She is wounded on the outside and on the in; she holds her bitterness tightly, only showing her true self to a special few, including Lella, the sweet-spirited woman with no arms or legs.
How the author manages to move across the years as she tells the stories of Drew, Valentine and several others is gripping and profound. It’s a novel that made me think about what it means to extend and receive grace and forgiveness; how it would be to live in a Christian community; how we measure success versus how God does; and how we ultimately find joy.
I didn’t anticipate the ending, but that made the book it all the more intriguing and thought-provoking. Definitely one not to miss.
Resurrection in May, Thomas Nelson, 2010, 978-1595545442
The robes of righteousness – bestowed to us via the cross of 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…” Philippians 2:1 (NIV)
Union with Christ – an unattainable mystery or a life-changing reality? The apostle Paul would argue for the latter; this gift of Jesus dwelling in us appears throughout his letters to the churches, including this letter to Philippi. As we slough off the old self – that which is prone to anger, bitterness, jealousy, greed – and put on the new – that which is marked by peace, faithfulness, goodness, self-control – we put on Jesus. As Paul said to the Romans, we clothe ourselves with Jesus (13:14), outside and in.
In this crisp passage we’ll be focusing on for the next few weeks, Paul is concerned with the unity of believers that springs forth from our union in Christ. Though he was away from the church at Philippi, held in a prison for his beliefs, yet he pours himself out for those whom he is concerned, imploring them to live as new creations.
Have you enjoyed a friendship with someone who, like Paul, champions you and your faith, even when sometimes that feels uncomfortable? When I’ve been on the receiving end of admonition or constructive criticism, I’ve felt an initial sting. But after prayer and reflection, and maybe just a bit of controlled ranting, I can see how God has used that person to challenge me to be more authentically the person he has made me to be.
May we too, be open to speaking God’s words of love and wisdom.
Triune God, may we put off the old self today and live clothed in Jesus. Amen.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1–3)
The Carolingian octagon from Aachen Cathedral in Germany. A grand crown indeed, but must pale in comparison with the one that awaits us in heaven…
By faith the saints lived and thrived. By faith they built an ark, made their home in a foreign land, bore a child in old age, left Egypt, passed through the Red Sea, made the walls of Jericho to tumble. All of this build up from Hebrews 11 – the rhetorical device of the “example list,” which ancient writers employed to call their listeners to action – leads to a great “therefore.”
Therefore, says the writer to the Hebrews, let us run our race with perseverance as we fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the ultimate hero of our faith. He is the culmination of the amazing acts and supernatural feats. He endured the shame of the cross to draw us close to his Father, that we might enjoy a life of fruitfulness, joy, and peace.
What race are you running? Perhaps you are young, and you haven’t yet made life-shaping choices – such as travels, marriage, a professional qualification. Maybe you are in midlife, with your path deeply cut in the earth but with many miles yet to traverse. Or perhaps you are nearing the end of your journey, looking back over a life that had its share of potholes but also buried treasure in the road as well.
Wherever we are, may we slough off whatever is keeping us from running with joy and appropriate speed. In times of weariness may we look to Jesus to refresh us in body, mind, and spirit. In times of joy may we share our wonder and gratitude with him, the author and perfecter of our faith. And with the saints of old, may we too finish our race in a way to get the prize, the crown that lasts forever (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
For prayer and reflection: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:4)
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:32–40)
Suffering because of skin color. A statue to commemorate the people sold as slaves in Zanzibar, at what is now an Anglican Cathedral but used to be the site of a slave market.
The writer to the Hebrews wraps up his discussion of the heroes of faith in this hodgepodge list of people, triumphs, and tragedies. Through faith they did some amazing feats, such as shutting the mouths of lions and quenching the fury of flames. But they also faced torture, chains, imprisonment, persecution, and mistreatment. And horrible deaths: by stoning, being sawn in two, by the sword.
Not exactly a list of experiences we’re eager to embrace. Nor to advertise to people who are curious about the Christian faith. “Yes, become a Christian and you too could endure ridicule and maltreatment!” Sometimes instead we highlight only the amazing promises of God – that he will never leave us, that when we walk through the river the waves will not submerge us, that he loves us with an everlasting love.
But because we live in a fallen world, which is not as God intended it, we may experience house fires and breast cancer. We may lose our jobs or our spouses to a roving eye and hand. God doesn’t cause these horrible experiences, but he allows them. Why? We just don’t know. At these times, perhaps more than ever, we need to cling to God’s faith-building promises while sinking back into his everlasting arms. And to know that God has something better for us planned, such as our home in heaven.
None of these heroes – Abraham and Moses nor Gideon and David – received what they had been promised. But they welcomed it from a distance. May we who have the gift of the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – live in a manner worthy of our callings. May God increase in us our faith, that we too may be heroes who welcome God’s promises, perhaps also at a distance.
For prayer and reflection: “God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of emotional enjoyment of his blessings…. Faith by its very nature must be tested and true.” Oswald Chambers
We met in the ladies’ loo, an unplanned meeting that seemed appropriate, given the evening’s agenda. Author and editor stood under the harsh fluorescent lights, applying makeup and (in my case) moaning about having a bad-hair day. All the while appreciating the irony that we were worrying about our appearances while celebrating the launch of her new book on beauty, inside and out.
Author and editor. You can guess who is who!
Chine Mbubaegbu has penned Am I Beautiful? from an achingly vulnerable place. She admitted last night, in our Q&A session, that her first draft originated from her journalist self. When Claire Musters and I, who edited her book (with Claire doing the lion’s share of the editing), received the first draft, we were… disappointed. Chine later admitted that she had hoped for a sort of Christian-Malcolm-Gladwell type of treatment on the subject of beauty – what is beauty, how Christian women deal with the world’s expectations and our own, and so on. But although her treatment was good, Claire and I wondered, where was the book’s heart beat? Where was the story lurking underneath the story?
With some gentle (but painful) prodding, Chine reworked the book. Transformed it – in the hours between getting home from her day job before going out at night (ah to be in one’s 20s!). The result is a narrative that not only contains the voices of other women and theological reflections and social observation, but the gut-wrenching stories of a woman in her journey to come to terms with how her outside packaging, so to speak, affects her emotions, thoughts – and her soul.
Last night, in echoes of the thought-provoking TED talk by Chimamanda Adichie, Chine told the story of her five-year-old self in primary school, drawing a self-portrait. She chose a yellow crayon for her hair and blue for her eyes. Only when one of her friends exclaimed, “That doesn’t look anything like you!” did she realize her folly. She, born in Nigeria, had black hair and brown eyes. The only girl with dark skin in her class, she felt an outcast. She didn’t realize her own beauty.
Some of the crowd assembled to celebrate Chine’s book.
The evening was a smash, filled with bookstore people, friends and family of Chine, movers and shakers and bloggers and tweeters. I loved the Q&A session, and thought the last question was apposite, asked by a man: “I have one daughter and another who is going to be born any minute. How do I let them know that they are beautiful?”
It’s a question I ask myself when raising my daughter. As Chine said, yes of course, tell them that they are beautiful, but praise them too for being clever and kind and for working hard and for being loving and… I know some people make it a practice not to tell little girls that they are cute – because so often that can be our only reaction. I wonder if as long as we praise them for a myriad of things, including that they are beautiful could act as a deposit against the tirade of society’s (and their peers’) assessment that they are found wanting. What do you think?
I end with the final question I asked Chine during our Q&A: “How do you answer the question in the title of the book?”
