The Pattern’s Perception

We are musing this day from Philippians2:3-4 on the pattern to follow in an unwelcome situation such as the prison Paul found himself in. I look today at the pattern’s perception. Our times of being shut up to God should and must be viewed from God’s perspective. Paul says in verse three not to do anything through strife or vain glory. Strife is that which we say or do that pulls others down. Vain glory is that which we say or do that put self up. In verse 3b-4 Paul speaks of doing everything possible to lift others up. A thought that is not new is contained in the word joy. The letters in the word joy stand for Jesus, others, and you. The order is so important. Let us remember we are nothing, others are something, but God is everything. When I consider Christ the pattern of patterns, I wonder not  have I made any progress, but I wonder have I even started.