Do nothing

There’s nothing easy about following and obeying the commands of Jesus.  It’s tough.  Christ calls us to do many hard things.  Which is hardest for you?  For me, it’s two verses found in a New Testament book that is all about the topic of “JOY.”  In Philippians 2:3, Paul writes,
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”
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Now that’s tough.  We are to do NOTHING out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  It’s not, “Do most things without selfish ambition or empty conceit.”  It’s “do nothing.”  That’s pretty all inclusive with no wiggle room for exceptions no matter how much we rationalize it.  But what is “selfish ambition”?  It’s the desire to get ahead.  This is a reminder that when it comes to what I do in ministry, it’s not about me!  I’m reminded of the news correspondent that was watching a nun unwrap the bandage foot of a wounded soldier towards the end of WWII.  Gangrene had set into the wound to such an extent that the odor coming from the wound caused the news correspondent to vomit.  After he regained his composure he said to the nun, “I wouldn’t do what you’re doing for a million dollars!”  To which the nun replied, “Neither would I!”