Philippians 2:3 ESV
It’s difficult to imagine what the world would be like if everyone you met and everyone who met you treated the other like they were so significant to you they deserved honor.
Think what it would be like if you loved everyone you met and everyone you met loved you.
Imagine a world that was filled with love at every turn all the time day and night. There is no pain and sorrow. There are no regrets.
Everyone you meet forgives and loves you and you forgive and love everyone.
I think the Apostle Paul imagined that world.
In Philippians 2:3 he wrote, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Unfortunately our world isn’t like that…it seems like in 2025 it’s even a forgotten thought. I have to say even in our churches there is selfishness. I’ve been part of congregations where others even harbor arguments and strife for decades.
There are ‘sides’ and no one is willing to budge and forgive.
But in defense of the human condition I’ve also met scores of people who love, forgive, and pray that everyone will know the love of Jesus.
In my estimation they are the hope of the world. They are not perfect but they do seek and know forgiveness. They would do anything possible to help a neighbor.
They count humility as being important and others as more significant. Even though they do struggle, when they struggle to love they turn to God/Jesus and ask for help.
They ARE the hope of the world.
I’ve known others who dropped what they were doing, even though it was very important so they could go help a neighbor who had an accident or suffered a loss.
For months after the loss they continued to help that grieving neighbor.
I’ve been there when a woman lost her husband of 60+ years to suicide. Her husband had lost his eyesight and he couldn’t bear being a burden to his spouse. The loss was devastating to everyone in the congregation but they dropped what they were doing and ran to her.
No one whispered a word of judgment for the decision the man, their lifelong friend made. Somehow (probably because they were older) they grieved the loss of their lifelong friend but they did not judge him. Everyone showed up to care for the grieving widow. They loved her.
They are God’s Secret Weapon in the world. Their love gives me hope. And as I remember I am grateful for the hope.
In Jesus, Deborah/acrazyjourney.com