Most Wonderful Savior, after pondering Your unselfish act on Calvary, I have come to recognize the many other unselfish acts You’ve left for me as examples of how to be more like You. Like when You came to Earth, You did not seek power, position or a grand title … though You were worthy of them all. Instead, You came in the form of a humble, common man like me. Each time You are forgotten, ignored or snubbed by the likes of me, You do not pout or plot revenge. When I take your name in vain or think evil of You, You do not rise up in anger and strike me. When I am extravagant, disorderly or insensitive, You patiently endure and attempt to lead me back onto the right path. When I am not content with what I have and grumble against You, You are not miserly toward me … rather You call me to repentance and a return to prosperity. When I think of myself more highly than I should … You do not knock me off my high horse … instead, You gently lead me back to reality. When I covet what my neighbor has, You help me understand that it is better to give than receive.
Dear Lord, help me emulate your unselfishness. When I undergo persecution, I want to do it with joy, counting it a privilege to suffer it for Your sake. Whenever evil is spoken of me or my advice is ignored or my opinions ridiculed, keep me from taking offense and instead endure with patience and loving silence. When I see others disregard for things I think are important or they display insensitivity for me and others or they waste their time, talents and resources on folly … show me how to be patient and forgiving … persevering with them as You persevere with me. I know that as I learn to be content in all things, as Paul did, I will find joy and happiness just knowing You are standing with me. When I become transparent and happy that others are being recognized, I know I’m learning the meaning of true selflessness. When I watch my brother prosper and have his needs met and honestly rejoice with him … truly the Spirit of God resides in me.
O how I want to die to self and subject my flesh to Your will. As I examine Your life of humility, I see the path that was set aside for me. While I know You will care for me and prosper me, I can never forget there is a labor required of me on earth … to bear and take upon my shoulder the Cross that was meant for me. I too, in my marriage and my relationship with family and friends, should be ready to love unselfishly and sacrifice for their sake. You have called me to be an imitator of Yours and live a life of giving just the way You’ve given of Yourself for me. As I begin to learn how to die to self, it will become easier to live for You. For once I was dead in sin and lost in darkness but because You gave Yourself for me, I am alive and free to walk in the light. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgements are just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.