The Ultimate Example

Philippians 2:5-8

“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!”

To say that this is how I pictured my last semester of undergrad would be a lie. The past few months have been nothing short of a wild roller coaster for which I don't even remember getting in line. More than that, it feels like someone blindfolded me, forced me into the seat, and conveniently forgot to strap me in. Plus add the fact that this ride feels never-ending AND I’ll be missing the free ice cream scheduled at 2 that I’d been looking forward to all day. Honestly I could go on and on with this analogy.

If you’re like me, then you kind of want to shut off all forms of media just for a little bit. I’m not promoting becoming less informed but sometimes it feels like you’re being told a million different ways to “do quarantine right”. However, I think it’s important to know that (besides well-educated healthcare professionals) the example we are called to live by is Christ’s.

So why is Jesus our perfect quarantine lifestyle to live by?

To me, everything that Jesus represents is beautiful, heart wrenching, soul stupefying grace. And it’s the gift I find most comforting about Him. Right now, I think it’s probably the most difficult it’s ever felt to cultivate grace-for others and for myself. Even under normal circumstances, I often struggle to have grace with myself. I set too many expectations for myself. So as these new waves of emotion began tossing me around, I find it increasingly difficult to show myself kindness. I feel sad for the losses I was experiencing yet guilty because my circumstances aren’t as difficult as others. I feel anxious and fearful about the future but wrong for not having enough faith. I feel angry because I don’t understand why things are happening this way but doubtful because I was questioning God’s mysterious plan.  And sometimes I feel that overall I am too emotional and I need to tame the feelings. It’s nauseating. And when you don’t have enough grace for yourself, it can be difficult to have grace for others as well. But I also think it is the most critical time to have it.

This passage in Phillipians is powerful for many reasons and gives us 3 main messages on how and why we should follow Jesus’ example.

1. Exercise humility by sharing grace with others.

Our world is hurting. Physically, mentally, spiritually, financially. It always has been but now on a pandemic-level scale. Our hearts are broken. We are all on this emotional rollercoaster: we’re furious, we’re grief-stricken, and-most evidently-we’re afraid. But just as Jesus carried the burden of our brokenness, he calls us to live out his example. His gift is not mine to amass for myself.

I’m not saying don’t hold people accountable. We all can reference the sassy remarks Jesus delivered to a Pharisee or even a disciple on many occasions. I’m simply suggesting to ponder the damage of another person’s heart, their circumstances, and experiences, just for a minute. And choose to share the gift of grace.

2. Exercise love by allowing yourself grace too.

Jesus was fully human for a reason. He was fully God and fully human, not simply to have a standard to live by but to have a soul with whom we can relate and be in relationship. Someone who is fully God, with fully divine intent and action, and yet still experienced the depth of human emotions, the devastation of a broken heart. In the garden of Gethsemane, before he was arrested, Jesus prayed to God aware of the events on the horizon, “Father...everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). And later as he was being crucified it is said that as he died “Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) Even the Messiah, King of Kings, fully divine does not deny his broken heart. He bears 8 billion broken hearts in the beating flesh of his own. Because this heart, broken like the world He loves, is part of what leads us to the greatest gift in history.

Reading this scripture helps me know that it’s okay to be on this crazy roller coaster of emotions and thoughts. Because Jesus is right beside me, at times shouting with fear and joy in the same way, but always holding my hand. And that means I can have a little grace with myself: for feeling fearful, angry, and sad; for feeling clueless; and for wondering if I’m doing anything right. It is human nature. And to deny my broken heart would be to deny the workings of His grace.

3. Exercise empathy by taking action.

Jesus is fully man and fully God. He suffered the greatest trial and bore the greatest burdens of our broken souls. The intertwining of his ability to bear the greatest burdens of our souls and in doing so relate to our human nature while simultaneously saving it, should in some way not only inspire us to take action but compel us to do the same.

I often find it difficult when I talk about suffering because I know that I come from a place of privilege. It’s something we all possess in some capacity but it exists differently for each of us. The point is that it is not earned necessarily and it usually isn’t something that you asked for; sometimes you can’t even control it. But the importance is in the times that you can and how you use that power for the good of others. The greatest first step is to start with empathy. The divine nature of Jesus provided us with an eternal priceless gift. But don’t forget his human nature which provided us the eternal example of empathy. Learn to empathize. Help take on the burdens of those who are suffering from this situation. Because-the Lord truly knows-there are so many. So many of us have had to sacrifice something because of this. Yet there are things we can be doing to help relieve the weight of others. I’m not encouraging you to forget about your own struggles, compromise your safety, or shaming you to meet some impossible standard. But I am inviting you to contemplate what this looks like in your life. Don’t be afraid to recognize the privilege you possess as well.  Our circumstances are all different, but I challenge you to find a way in which you can help do this within your individual means. We can’t possibly bear the broken hearts of 8 billion people, but we can try to share the weight of some of the broken pieces of another.

*This blog was written by, Loren Pierce, who is studying speech therapy at South Alabama. Loren is a senior and the ministry assistant at the Wesley Foundation.*

The Contentment of the Lord Triumphs Over Fear

Upon hearing the word “contentment,” many of us would immediately envision scenes of picturesque landscapes, accomplishing goals, or doing the things we enjoy with the people we love the most. At first glance, it almost appears as though our contentment stems from a setting, achievement, or situation itself. However, true contentment—synonymous with serenity, fulfillment, and satisfaction—cannot be found within our worldly pursuits.
Now more than ever, the world is faced with widespread uncertainty, anxiety, and fear. COVID-19 seems to have infected every facet of the lives we lived just a few short months ago, threatening not only our physical health, but also the mental and spiritual components of our overall well-being. This virus has taken away many of the things we took for granted or were looking forward to. Graduations, trips, time with our friends, jobs, internships, and much more disappeared almost overnight. When we believe that our serenity, fulfillment, and satisfaction come from such things, only to have them taken away, it can very easily create the illusion that we are left with nothing; we have lost sight of the reality that our contentment should be rooted in God and his divine love for us. The contentment of the Lord triumphs over any and all fears.

I have seen our Heavenly Father moving in this country in awe-inspiring ways these past few weeks, in spite of the fear that continues to try to overshadow His grace. People are home and are getting to spend time with their families. Children are learning about Jesus and are writing Bible verses all over the streets in chalk. Communities are banding together to give back to our essential workers and serve those in need. Most of all, more people are stopping to pray and acknowledge the goodness of their Savior, and either begin building their relationship with Him or deepen it, than ever I have seen in my lifetime. So yes, these days are uncertain, but allow me to say that life has always been uncertain. It took a virus for humanity to fall to their knees in prayer, and for us to be reminded that God is in control. So fret not, for our God is the most essential worker of all; He will never stop working to show us His love.
With this being said, our contentment does not come from circumstances, people, wealth, possessions, victories, grades, or any other earthly thing you can think of. We find our contentment in the Lord our God, in His perfect love, unwavering strength, and unfathomable power. Because of God, we can find his divine contentment no matter what our realities may look like, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. The light of God seems to shine brighter when adversity puts a shroud over our eyes; where there is darkness, God’s light will always prevail. COVID-19 has been our reminder that our contentment had been placed in the wrong hands: our own. Let this be the turning point in everyone’s life when we make the conscious decision to keep our contentment in Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:10 says “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” When I read this verse earlier today, I knew it was right for the topic of contentment. I had been struggling with my own feelings of discontent, grappling with fear, and succumbing to the lies of the enemy. What a powerful statement, to acknowledge that we only become strong when we first admit we are weak, and then allow Christ to work within our hearts.
To close, I would like to include a “serenity prayer” that I found in some of my mom’s old college things earlier this afternoon. I had prayed that God would lead me to the right words to say, and sure enough, I find this little prayer card with a focus on serenity, one of the synonyms of contentment I had mentioned previously; to me, this was a clear sign that it ought to be included.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.”

*Trinity Walker, a Freshman at USA majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management*