Post Number Forty-Eight

Philippians 2:1-13

On the Sunday when I preach for the last time before beginning a six month spiritual leave in order to take care of Terry I find the lectionary passage for the day is the famous Kenosis hymn from Philippians.

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross." 

Encountering this scripture has set my mind to wondering.  Can I empty myself of all the things that have meant so much to me and to my sense of who I am?  Can I be completely obedient to the mission of this leave - the taking care of the one I love?  Can I maintain my focus even if the outcome proves to be the very thing I dread the most?  It is one thing to admire Jesus for his servant heart.  It is quite another thing to accept that heart as my own.

I cannot answer these questions in advance.  I accept them as the necessary challenge of this moment in our lives.  I intend to give it my all and to count the opportunity as a holy time.  Since I understand faith as living with a radical trust in God, I accept this situation as an act of faith - an act of trust.

Others might strive for a more complicated theological understanding of this moment.  Complication is little comfort to me.  Emptying is something I understand.  Whether it is also something I can do waits to be discovered.

Dave Gladstone