Who Do You Think I Am, Really?

S

(Philippians 2:6-8) [Christ Jesus], who though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant ... [And] humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross.

O

Evidently, Paul was referring at least to Jesus' disciples' testimony and experience of Jesus washing their feet ... and dying in their place (John 13:1-20). Jesus could do that freely because of His completely secure identity. Both Paul and John wrote that explicitly. Jesus was certain about His identity and His relationship with His Heavenly Father, and that security freed Him to humbly serve undeserving, uanappreciative people without violating or even challenging His majesty.

A (Personal)

I find it much too easy to miscalculate my value and other people's value. Instead of basing it on fear or selfishness or a composite of people's opinions, I need to base personal value on God's calculations. I (as are so many others) am a beloved child of God. He treasures me and sought my affections even though it cost Him dearly. Therefore, me being a foot washer or brick stacker is completely unrelated to my dignity. Instead, my attitude and character, reveal whether I have allowed Christ's image and "lovefulness" to redefine me.

A (Psychological)

According to Pauline Boss (Family Stress Management: A Contextual Approach, 2002), the ABC-X model of family stress identifies the level of crisis (X) as the composite of A (the provoking event or stressor), B (the family's resources or strengths at the time of the event), and C (the meaning attached to the event by the family, both individually and collectively). When a person or family's identity is unclear or its boundaries ambiguous (who is in and who is out), its identity is no longer maintainable: its roles are confused, tasks are undone, cognitions are blocked, decisions are delayed, and coping and grieving processes are frozen (p. 47, 95). Having a clear sense of identity and family belonging and purpose is essential for health.

P

Lord, You have received me into Your family as Your own child. How can I ever thank You enough as I explore all the benefits and meaning included in that? I marvel that as I increasingly know and love You, I simultaneously get a better and calmer grip on who I am and how I can, in very practical ways, increase my value to others ... without losing my identity in You. Amazing!

Avoiding Getting Lost

S

(2 Chronicles 32:25) But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore, wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.

O

This describes Hezekiah's deathbed struggle (fortunately, he repented and turned the wrath away). At age 31, six years into his monarchy, he saw the Assyrians raze Israel and enslave its people. At age 39, the Assyrians returned to do the same to him and Judah--but God miraculously intervened in response to Hezekiah's humble prayers. Following that victory, vast wealth flowed into Judah's treasuries and international esteem laid siege Hezekiah's heart ... successfully hardening it.

A (Personal)

How frighteningly, easily prosperity and favor turns grace into arrogance and entitlement. "Hezekiah prospered in all his works ... [and] God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart" (verses 30, 31). Through Hezekiah's example, God teaches me to guard my heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:4-7) and to "return" to Him whenever He bestows benefits into my life. (This Hebrew word means to "convert" or to make "movement back to the point of departure.)

A (Psychological)

All change (positive or negative) creates stress. It rearranges the equilibrium or homeostasis of the family system, which creates a need to redefine its structure, rules, roles, and relationships. Pauline Boss, in her book Family Stress Management: A Contextual Approach, describes Hill's ABC-X model of stress management: A (provoking event or stressor), B (the family's resources or strengths at the time of the event), C (the meaning attached to the event by the family, individually and collectively), and X (the degree of stress). According to this model, when the ratio between the family system's support and the pressure on it shifts so that the pressure decreases and the support become stronger, recovery is occurring. Turning points result from (a) a change in the stressor event, (b) a change in the availability of resources for coping, or (c) a change in the family's perception of both factors (p. 67).

In these revelations of Hezekiah's life, Hezekiah failed to learn from his father Abraham's positive example. Whenever Abraham experienced a major change (positive or negative) in his life, he returned to his foundational promises from God--he renegotiated the changes back into the context of God's call and provisions for his life. He typically built an altar to solidify his restored relationship with the Lord. By doing this, he renewed his access to his family's (and the Lord's) resources (B in the ABC-X model) and he redefined the meaning of the event in the context of God's eternal perspective (C in the ABC-X model). This allowed him and his family to be resilient in the presence of change and worldly uncertainties.

P

Lord, I see that You long to bless me, but Your very blessings can easily become cement that hardens my heart. What can I "return" to You for all the benefits You lavish on me? Like David, I'll take the cup of salvation You offer me, I'll call upon Your name, I'll offer thanks to You, and I'll keep my promises to You (Psalms 116:12; 56:12).