J-O-Y

“Count others more significant than yourselves.”  ~Philippians 2:3

I’m writing this devotional from the floor of our denomination’s General Synod (our annual gathering of ministers and elders). Earlier today, a group of young men and women from Camp JOY came to sing for us. Camp JOY is our denomination’s Christian camp, which serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It celebrates its forty-fifth anniversary this year.

In its name there is a hidden acronym: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. J-O-Y.

The idea is that Jesus is first in our lives, both in priority and example. Consider how He laid down His life in humble sacrifice for others. This leads naturally into the idea that Others are second. If we are to walk in the way Jesus walked, we will necessarily put others above ourselves. And obviously, if we continue following this paradigm, we will place ourselves (Yourself) last. This is what Paul says in Philippians 2:3 when he tells us to “count others more significant than yourselves.” This is the heart of Christ, “For…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

I wonder, do you practice J-O-Y? If we’re being honest, we may need to admit that while we agree with the acronym in principle, we probably don’t practice it very well. And before you think I mean that we simply put ourselves before others (J-Y-O), what I mean is that we often put ourselves before Jesus! (Y-J-O, or Y-O-J, even). Why is this?

Fundamentally, it’s because of two things: first, we think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Paul reminds us of this once again in Philippians 2:3 when he says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Do you see it? It’s selfish ambition (looking out for number one), and a lack of humility (thinking more highly of yourself than you ought) that keeps us from considering others first. That’s why he commends humility. We have to develop rightly framed thoughts about who we are (sinners who receive mercy) and who others are (image-bearers we’re commanded to love) in order to put others before ourselves. 

The second reason is that we think too little of Jesus. And the reason He gets second billing (or third) isn’t because we aren’t humble enough. It is because He’s not magnificent enough in our hearts and minds. When we think of who Jesus really is — the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the Savior of His people, the Mediator between God and man, the Great High Priest who perpetually intercedes for us… the list goes on — how can we possibly think of Him as anything but first in our lives? 

Do you have J-O-Y? If not, I want to challenge you to think higher thoughts of Jesus, think rightly about yourself (what do you have that you did not receive?), and think better of others. This will restore your J-O-Y in the Christian life.  

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor of Teaching & Spiritual Formation