Sovereign Servant
"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." ⏤ Luke 22:7
We can scarcely imagine sovereignty apart from control. Words like dominion, majesty, and preeminence describe an exalted position. With that position comes authority. But how that authority is exercised depends on the kingdom. We have been invited to imagine what we scarcely can, then learn to live where awe and wonder arouse self-control and imitation of our King.
I Don't Trust Myself
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. — Col. 2:8
I enjoy philosophy (love of wisdom). As an engineer, I appreciate the value of systems and processes. But where is the wisdom rooted? How pure is the aim? It seems best to focus energy on knowing God. That's where eternal life is found, and God promises to give wisdom when we come to him and ask.
Status
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. ⏤ Phil. 2:8-9
At some point, money and agency are no longer matters of survival or even comfort. They morph into wealth and power, seized to ratchet up status. Worldly status. By contrast, Kingdom status comes from giving away (love is the gift of self), then receiving from God.
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- poverty & compassion
- imagination & creativity
- technology & ai
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship
The God of the Bible looks like Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. It would be just like him to go to the cross.