Lord Jesus,

Everything in our western society tells us to “aim high,” 

but as we learn to revere you, 

we see how low we truly must aim in order to be like you:

You “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, 

but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

You don’t look to your own interests 

but to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). 

And even though you were “in the form of God,” 

you “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” 

but “emptied [yourself], taking the form of a servant, 

being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7).

Not only that, you “humbled [yourself] 

by becoming obedient to the point of death, 

even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). 

And now, you are “highly exalted,” 

and one day every knee will bow before you (Philippians 2:10).

Lord Jesus, as we marvel over your humility and sacrifice for us, 

we become more like you. 

Fill our minds and our hearts today 

with awe at your remarkable submission, 

that we may “go low” 

and spend our lives 

“submitting to one another 

out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).  

In your awe-some name. Amen.

Read Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:1-11. 

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!