A Mindset of Humility
This is an audio recording of A Mindset of Humility the Day 1 entry in Today for Seafarers (Vol. 1) devotional by Jason Zuidema.
Listen to the audio by Sheila Margerrison or read the text below:
“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.”
A proper understanding of rank is very important for a well-ordered ship. Knowing the difference between a captain, an engineer, and a chief cook is a basic piece of information for anyone working on board. Each rank is important, for it tells the person’s role and responsibility in relation to the others.
Yet it often seems that rank becomes more about one’s rights than one’s responsibilities. A higher rank becomes an excuse for mistreating those in a lower rank. And a lower rank can become a reason to avoid problems or responsibility for something.
Problems associated with rank in society are nothing new. Even in Jesus’ time people had difficulty giving up or assuming responsibility.
Philippians 2:5-11 counsels us to consider our own responsibility before critiquing others. We are good at seeing the faults of those we consider above or below us, but often we are blind to our own faults. A basic idea in these words that describe Jesus is that we need to have a good view of who we are. A right or just view of ourselves is called humility. It allows us to take responsibility for what is given to us, whether we are captain, engineer, or chief cook, and it allows us to be patient with others.
Jesus was the best model of this: though he was God, he became a human being to be our servant. This is great news for our spiritual lives, but also a model for our lives as Christians on ships.
For Further Thought
What can Jesus’ humility teach us about our work?
How do we learn patience?
Can you remember a time when another crew member had to be patient with you?
Prayer
Dear Lord, you are the captain of my life. You also came to serve me. Help me to live with humility—serving others in the places where you have put me. Forgive me when I demand of others what I do not give myself. Help me to reflect the love of Jesus in my daily life. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
