Thursday, September 13, 2012

Exaltation of the Cross

"Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped." Phil 2:6

Grasping for glory trips most of us up from time to time. Sometimes it is a job that gives us an exalted sense of ourselves. At other times, we take credit for a child's success or a spouse's happiness. All of this is natural, of course. Because we often wonder about our own value, getting a promotion or having a child succeed can make us feel better about ourselves for a brief time, and although it is a hollow triumph, we cling to it.

Paul reminds us that Jesus does not do this. He clings to nothing but his relationship with his Father. Nothing else really matters and living in his Father's embrace is enough. While this ought to be true for us, our faith is usually too weak to rest completely in God as our Father, consolation and strength.

Daily prayer can help in this regard. When we take time to acknowledge our need and hand ourselves over to God without holding back, we have no need to cling to anyone or anything, and while people and simple success in life will still delight us, failure will not overwhelm us.

Today, let go of something or someone without which you think you cannot live.

What spiritual practices most help you to let go?


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