But more to the point, these things speak of what others think of us.

It seems to be our human nature to define ourselves by those things that we acquire that appear to speak of our worthiness. Unlike beauty, which is in the eye of the beholder, acceptance is often assumed to be in the eye of the other - it is not in the eye of the beholder. Our worthiness in often measured by how others see us. It is our human nature, for all of us I think, that almost demands that we pay attention to what others think of us - are we good enough - are we acceptable - do we dress just right, do our shoes and purses match - does your belt match your shoes - do your socks even match. Do you drive the right car, live in the right part of town - do our kids go to the right college - we judge all the time. Our sense of self worth and confidence are determined by what others think. And we also hold ourselves up against the accomplishments of others to see if we measure up. We also hold ourselves up to our own often impossible standards - with expectations higher than those who love us - higher than God‘s as well.

And when we think we don’t measure up, we are devastated. At least I was.

If you’ve read your Epistle this month, you all know that the candidacy approval committee recommended that I take another theology class and engage in more theological preparation before being approved for ordination. What this meant in my eyes was that I did not measure up - I was not ‘good enough’ - not good enough in spite of my prior academic achievements - in spite of my work ethic, in spit of my past career successes, in spite of my standing in the community, in spite of the opinions of my colleagues - in spite of all the outer trappings of success. Not good enough because a panel of people who don’t know me made a decision that left me reeling.

In last week’s text, Paul, writing from prison, tells his followers in Philippi to be of the ‘same mind as Christ’ and to ‘empty oneself for Christ.’ Today, Paul tempts to explain what this meant for him. Paul is listing all of his many qualifications, those outward things that are the basis for his confidence and his worthiness in the eyes of his community - his extensive Jewish lineage, his education, his adhering to the law, his standing as a Pharisee - he was a man to be reckoned with, he was righteous, blameless under the law.

And yet - as a disciple of Christ - as one who ’knew’ Christ - he came to the conclusion that it was all meaningless - it was rubbish. (Actually the Greek word, skubala, is a rather course 4 letter word - but rubbish will suffice!) Paul was more than willing to give it all up, and he did - “yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.” Paul had come to understand that only through faith in Christ and because of Christ, was there any sense of worthiness, any sense of acceptability, any sense of being in right relationship with Christ and therefore with God. And that relationship with Christ was far more important than what others thought of him or what the credentials said about him. Paul knew and accepted that as a follower of Jesus Christ, he would gladly suffer for Jesus - would suffer as Jesus had suffered. Not literally on the cross, but “sharing …by becoming like him in his death.” Paul set aside his old self, the emptying that he spoke of last week. Christ makes us his own through his death and resurrection. It is in the resurrection that we are assured of an eternal relationship with our God through Christ - death cannot destroy it.

And that eternal relationship - that compassionate love that only God can bestow upon us far outweighs whatever importance we may place on our earthly accomplishments. Our faith is what allows us to share in that resurrection and not be bound by the outward realities of our lives that we think are so important.

But Paul is also quick to point out that this is a process of becoming - it is not something we ‘get’ and then go on to something else. “…but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” We need to keep our ‘eye on the prize’ so to speak, stay focused on Christ - as the only one whose opinion matters. However, setting aside old hurts and disappointments or the opinions others have of us is not easy, especially when it contradicts everything we may think about ourselves.

I asked the children this morning - what qualifies us to be with Jesus? The answer, of course, is absolutely nothing that we do, except have faith in Christ. And that faith, which we do nothing to get, is a gift, it empowers us to be obedient to the will of God. We are not ‘saved‘ or made right with God through the things that we do - getting good grades or collecting certificates of accomplishment or obeying the speed limit, isn’t going to get us in right relationship with God. But obeying and doing God’s will are responses to the love shown us in the first place.

Not only is Paul talking to the people of Philippi, he is talking to you - and to me. And I think I have finally understood what Paul is talking about here.

As I’ve struggled with my own feelings of unworthiness and rejection, feelings that I had in spite of any outward appearances to the contrary, I’ve realized that only in Christ would I find salvation and healing. Christ’s opinion of me is really the only one that matters - and he loves me no matter what. You and I were chosen by God at our baptism - washed clean with water and Word and made worthy - the cross of Christ that was placed on our foreheads is always there. If we believe, as we do, that all that God created is good, then in essence, when we tell ourselves that we are not worthy, we are contradicting God - admitting that God was wrong about us.

It is only through faith in Christ that any of us, me included, can move forward - keeping our eyes on the prize - and ‘forgetting what lies behind.'

Someone much wiser that I am said to me that ‘salvation means the past has no power over us’. This ‘saving’ is like being rescued from deep water when you‘re drowning. This defines forgiveness as well - when we can let go of past hurts that threaten to drown us in pain, what ever those may be, we can move forward - healing can take place and we are made whole again.

So my challenge is for all of us - me and you - to accept the gift of Christ’s love and accept the call that goes along with it; be obedient to God’s will, both individually and as a community of faith and keep our eyes on the prize - “the heavenly call of God” in a life lived in Christ, for Christ and with Christ. That’s what qualifies us to be with Jesus. AMEN

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Confident in the gracious and ever widening mercy of God, let us pray for the world, the body of Christ and all who yearn for wholeness.

God of seedtime and harvest, the vineyard of your creation sings its praises to you. Plant in us the desire to care for the environment and preserve the land and all that you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of sky and soil, the field of harvest ripens by your nurturing hand, guide those whose hands labor in bringing the fruits of the earth to the tables of all who hunger. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of fruit and vine, the nations of the world are broken by terror and hostility within and without. Graciously tend to them and their leaders and guide all into the ways of peace. We ask this for all of our community and congregation, but today lift up to you our members… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of bread and wine, the body of Christ your son still suffers in the world. Where we are unfaithful restore us. Where we are broken repair us. Where we are divided, unify us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of flesh and bone, the children of earth are burdened by sorrow and disease. Mercifully heal our pain and suffering and assure us of your presence. Equip us to embrace all whose bodies ache for wholeness. Today we especially lift up to you… God of resurrection and life, your people of every time and place bless and magnify your holy name. Strengthen us to life our hand and voices in praise of you, pressing on in faith, hope and love, Comfort all who are mourning the death of a loved one, and today we lift up to you the families of… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of knowledge, be a source of wisdom for those who teach and those who learn. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of all gifts, for all the blessings that we have each received this week, we give you thanks. And today we especially thank you for… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.