JOURNAL/NOT EQUAL-EQUAL

JOURNAL/NOT EQUAL-EQUAL




“HAVE among yourselves the SAME ATTITUDE that is also yours in Christ Jesus-WHO-though he was in the FORM OF GOD-did NOT regard EQUALITY with God something to be grasped-rather-he EMPTIED himself........” Philippians 2:5-7


Jesus-TOTALLY EMPTIED himself of all things-physically-spiritually-and emotionally-we too are CALLED UPON to empty ourselves for the sake of God and others-at least CONTINUE to GIVE all the love that we have INSIDE of ourselves


GOD'S LOVE-Jesus' love-OUR LOVE-is SELF-sustaining-it is what keeps us going-WE SHOULD give all we have for God and others


it is A GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day to empty ourselves of self-will-ACCEPT the path that GOD puts before us-and GIVE ALL we have-in LOVE-for GOD AND OTHERS




















NOT EQUAL/EQUAL




THE OPENING
Of The United States Constitution begins:


“WE HOLD these truths
To be self-evident


That ALL MEN are created EQUAL


That they are endowed
BY THE CREATOR
With certain unalienable rights
That among these are


LIFE-liberty and the pursuit
Of happiness”


While this is true
On paper
It is rarely true
In actuality


BECAUSE who we are born to
When and where we are born
Our color-our physical make-up
Our health-our looks-our religion
Our personality-
ALL PLAYS a role
In the opportunities
We receive in life


So-IN REALITY-we are
NOT EQUAL with each other
Though we should be-in theory


And certainly
We are NOT EQUAL with God-
Although there are a few people
I have met in this life
Who would beg to differ with me


IN FACT-even Jesus
Did not consider himself
An equal with God


“Christ Jesus
Though he was
In the form of God


Did not regard
Equality with God
Something to be grasped” Philippians 2:6


In fact
He considered himself
A slave
OR SERVANT to all


And asked
That we follow him


“NOT SO with you
Instead whoever wants
To become great among you
Must be your servant


And whoever wants
To be first
Must be your slave-


Just as the Son of Man
Did not come
To be served
But to GIVE HIS LIFE
As a ransom
For many” Matthew 20:26-28


“Then-Jesus-said to his disciples
'IF anyone
Would come after me
He must deny himself
And take up his cross
And FOLLOW ME” Matthew 16:24


Dear Lord
HEP US
To know
WE AREN'T on equal footing
With you-or even others


And if we want
To be your apostles and disciples
In today's world


Help us
To NOT put demands
On your answers
To our prayers


And help us
To NOT play God
In the way we judge others
Or even judge others at all


For your sake-Dear Lord
We swallow our pride
And we put away our egos


For we REMEMBER
Dear Lord
We are not your equal
And that you KNOW BEST


And my place
Our place
IS IN YOUR HANDS


Robert P. Wallman
9-14-14


Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Melanie Rigney




11-4-14