47 – Service – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

So, is service a spiritual discipline?  Is it formational?  For a moment consider these words from the letter to the 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. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (2:5-11)

To have the same mind as Christ Jesus, the same character, then is related to being a slave, a servant?  Scripture would suggest so.  In speaking of service Richard Foster writes, “… through [service] we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves.” (A Year with God: Living Out the Spiritual Disciplines).

How do you practice “going beyond” yourself?


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