Philippians 2:1-13 (The Message translation) (NRSV)
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Devotion
One of our family’s very favorite movies is, "The Princess Bride" with its hilarious blend of pirates, a princess, giants, miracles, fencing and rodents of unusual size. It's also a story about servanthood and true love. A beautiful young maiden named Buttercup lives on a countryside farm with a boy named Westley. Buttercup loves ordering Westley around. "Farm Boy" she says, "polish my horse's saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by morning". To each new order Westley’s only reply is, "As you wish.” Then one day, Buttercup discovers that Westley's, "as you wish" was really his way of saying, "I love you." "As you wish" was Westley's way of being a servant.
In the opening of his letter to the Philippians, Paul says this is the posture we are all called to as God's people. To assume Christ's attitude is to look to the interest of others rather than our own. "Look at the servant-Christ, and be like that!" Paul says. It's the Spirit's work in us always that moves us to reply, "As you wish."
Prayer
Merciful God, you sent your Son to show us a different way to live—the way of deep humility and obedience. Your love is the truest love of all. May it surround and fill us, changing us from the inside out, willing and working in us what is pleasing to you. Amen.