Theme: Joining Jesus at the Bottom

Verse:  1 Timothy 1:5

In our culture, we constantly hear about how to get ahead and make it to the top.  Unfortunately, we often try to circumvent the process and get to the top without a solid foundation to help us stay there.

The best way to reach (and stay at) the top of the mountain is to spend a good amount of time at the bottom in preparation.  What does that preparation look like?

At its core, the preparation is the realization that God wants us to emulate Jesus by being humble in service and to love one another.  Jesus left heaven to come serve us, many times in the lowliest places imaginable.  He started in a barn and finished on a cross enduring a horrible death. But throughout He was true to His calling to serve humanity.  He feed the 5,000 (Matthew 14), He healed the sick (Matthew 9, Mark 2, Luke 17, John 9), He sat and actively listened (Luke 24)

There is the model.  Love one another and serve others with humility.  Fortunately, we are not asked to go to the extremes that Jesus endured, but we are asked occasionally to get out of our comfort zone.

So, the next time you hear or see an advertisement for how to reach the top, turn that thinking upside down and do things as Jesus did.  First, head to the bottom and find a way to serve.  With that as your foundation, the experience at the summit will be glorious and enduring!  

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black