5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus did not cling to His rights. He humbled Himself, became a servant and was obedient even to death on a cross.
The world often views surrender as weakness. Scripture presents it as the pathway of Jesus. His surrender was not passivity. It was strength submitted to the Father’s will.
We may want God to increase our influence while He is working to deepen our surrender. Without surrender, power magnifies pride. With surrender, power becomes a means of blessing.
Jesus trusted the Father with His reputation, His future and His vindication. Because He humbled Himself, the Father exalted Him. We do not need to force doors open, secure our own status or make ourselves great. Our lives are in God’s hands.
The narrow way is not powerlessness. It is power placed under the loving rule of God.
What right, position or outcome am I struggling to entrust to God?
Father, I surrender my influence, reputation and future to you. Give me the mind of Christ. Make me humble enough to obey and secure enough to serve. Amen.
