Philippians 2:2-8 (from The Message)
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.  He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.  Not at all.  When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!  Having become human, he stayed human.  It was an incredibly humbling process.  He didn’t claim special privileges.  Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then he died a selfless, obedient death – and the worst kind of death at that – a crucifixion. 

I’ve long been drawn to this concept of self-emptying that Jesus lives.  Lent is often a time when I particularly focus on that intention.  But I have been really bogged down by a problem that my brain keeps churning and my emotions keep swirling around.  For extra fun I pile on layers of judgement about myself.  So this Lent has been more self-preoccupation than self-emptying.  Being human is humbling, indeed! 

I’ve been coming back to these words from James Finely to tether me during sitting meditations: “My spiritual practice is to sit each day in childlike sincerity with an inner stance that offers the least resistance to being overtaken by the God-given, godly nature of myself just the way I am.” 

This link is to a 7-minute meditation if you’d like to join me in a practice of softening resistance and inviting in the light of Christ.

Prayer: Jesus, you know how tricky it is to be human.  Help us to empty with each exhale so that we can fill up with you on each inhale.  Thank you for the gifts that we have to offer.  When we make things harder than they need to be, help us to get out of our own way so that we can offer your love, mercy, justice and compassion to the world.  Amen.