Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4
Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.
Thought for the Day: This is one of those First World Pastor Problems, but yesterday after doing a hospital visit in the Woodlands, I drove down to the Medical Center. I entered a parking garage and drove all the way to the top floor (11 or 12 floors), and did not find a single parking spot. I drove back down, back up again, and back down. I exited and had to pay the $5. I drove to another garage, and once again went to the top, back down, and a second round without finding a parking spot. I went to a third parking garage without any luck. It was frustrating as you can imagine. But as my frustration was beginning to boil over, I thought about all the folks trying to find spots (and I was often in a line of 12-15 cars slowing moving our way through the garages). Many of them had to be there to visit loved ones who were patients. How many of them were trying to find a spot so they could go sit with someone who was very ill, maybe even dying. Parking is the last thing someone should have to be thinking about in those moments. I only raise this because it challenged me to recognize how frustration can too often make me blind to those who might be dealing with significant and stressful issues. How often am I consumed with what is really rather petty? I know it’s not a competition to find out who has the worst problems, but today I was reminded how insignificant mine was.
Prayer: As I travel through life, Lord, let me think of others as sisters and brothers whose current needs and issues might be much greater than my own. It will require some humility, and so I ask for your assistance. Amen.
TONIGHT
