Significant Others

Do Christians have significant others? They most certainly do, but not in the way the world defines that term. We read in Philippians 2 that we are to "count others as more significant than ourselves." Who are the "significant others" in your life? This morning we were taught that partners in the Gospel, especially those within the church, are the people Paul had in mind when he wrote those words.

How easy it is for me to be my significant one. Often much of my day is devoted to me. How much of my thought life is given to me? If my thoughts could be recorded during those times, I'm ashamed to say that it would sound very much like a scratched CD that gets stuck on one short phrase, "me,me,me,me,me,me,me,me." How me centered am I when it comes to life in the church? Or in my home?

But this is not the way of Christ, and this is not the way for the advancement of the Gospel. Paul in Philippians is telling us that if we are to see the Gospel go forth, we must stand side by side.

"being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

This week I had the privilege of seeing up close a new mom caring for her little one. Here was a living illustration of what it means to humbly count others as more significant than oneself. This is a very gifted, intelligent and personable woman who could probably do and be anything she chose to do or be. Yet, for her love for Christ she has counted God's design for marriage and family as more significant than her own career aspirations. And so, when her husband left town for a week on business she didn't function out of rivalry or conceit (pride, or self-pity which thinks I deserve better than this). She released her husband to his labors and she parented alone for those few days. In this way she was of one mind with her husband.

Today I heard of a young woman who has four children ages 18 months to 8 yrs. who is single parenting while her husband serves our country in Iraq. Here again is a living example of someone not looking only to her own interests. She and her husband are of one mind in this "calling."

Today a visitor to our church gave a positive report of observing a sister diligently caring for another sister during worship while at the same time listening attentively to her pastor. This is Philippians 2 in action.

There are many women in our church who do "strive side by side" with their leaders for the advancement of the gospel. They are not looking out for their own interests. They do not function out of rivalry and conceit. These are those that make for "happy pastors." I praise God for these dear women.

This is as it should be. In the home and in the church. Ladies, there is no greater practicum for biblical teaching than in the home and in the church. Can you think of one area of your life in the home and in the church where this week you are going to choose to count (consider) others to be more significant than yourself? Will you act on this?

It won't be easy; I can almost guarantee it. Your flesh will fight against it. Satan will tempt you away from it. In fact, if you do this in your own strength you will fail. You'll dissolve in a mud-puddle of jealousy, anger, resentment, and self-pity. But if you fully rely on God and His Grace through the Lord Jesus and the powerful help of the Holy Spirit, you will find great joy and blessing. You will be amazed at what good there is to be found in living for those "significant others" in your life. Christ did this for us. Can we do any less?