Letting Go of What We Grasp

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭7

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.‬ 

These verses astound and convict me every time I read them.  

The Greek word which has been translated grasped here means to “hold onto for advantage.” 

Jesus literally let go of (opened his hand to) what was due him as GOD AND CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE in order to go where God wanted him to go and do what God wanted him to do.

Wow. Oh Lord, please help us.

What are we holding onto for our own advantage that we need to open our hand to today?

What are we “entitled to” that we need to let go of in order to go where God calls us to go or do what God calls us to do?

Maybe we’re "entitled" to hold onto our position, but God is calling us somewhere else.

Maybe we’re "entitled" to hold onto our money, but God is calling us to let it go.

Maybe we’re "entitled" to hold onto our skill, but God is calling us to give it away.

Today, may we ask the Lord to show us the good things we’re holding onto that might just be keeping us from the best things he has for us. 

Oh Lord, help us to be more like You! Make us willing to open our hands to what we feel we deserve in order to go and do what you call us to do. Amen.