“Have the same mindset as one another, love one another, and work together with united purpose. Do nothing selfish or conceited. Be humble, regarding others as better than yourselves. Look out not only for your own interests, but for the interests of others, too. Hold the same consciousness as Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:2-5
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- This passage from the Apostle Paul encourages us to foster attitudes and environments of inclusion, equity, and belonging. Especially, it invites us to develop the mindset, or consciousness, that Christ Jesus, the ascended master teacher and wayshower, had.
- To Jesus, everyone and anyone belonged to the community of God. When we choose to follow Jesus’s way and develop our consciousness as he did, we see each of our worldwide siblings as deserving, dignified, and divine.
- When we feel that we belong, we know that we matter. We are seen and heard as we are. We can both extend and receive generosity and benevolence, and contribute our gifts and talents to benefit others.
- We feel deserving when we know that we are worthy and valued for who we are, as one of God’s beloved creations.
- Dignity is about the regard or esteem we hold for ourselves and others, both the inherent worth and personal choices. When we treat one another with dignity, we honor our shared humanity. We also affirm everyone’s place at the table of our worldwide community.
- Divinity is the true spiritual nature, the essence of God, within each person, without exception.
- In her March 2014 article in Psychology Today Australia, Dr. Karyn Hall says: “To build a sense of belonging requires active effort and practice. One way to work on increasing your sense of belonging is to look for ways you are similar with others, instead of focusing on ways you are different. . . . Sharing your differences and still accepting the person creates peace.”
Contemplation Questions:
Ask yourself:
- When I recall a time in my life when I was excluded or struggled to belong, I felt ______.
- List, word map, or illustrate all the feelings you can remember.
- When I recall a time in my life when I was included and fit in, I felt _____.
- List, word map, or illustrate all the feelings you can remember.
- When I recall a time in my life when I excluded someone or prevented them from belonging, I felt ______.
- List, word map, or illustrate all the feelings you can remember.
- When I recall a time in my life when I included someone and helped them fit in, I felt _____.
- List, word map, or illustrate all the feelings you can remember.
- When I reflect on these times and my feelings, what did I believe about belonging then?
- List, word map, or illustrate all the specific beliefs you can remember, even if those beliefs have since changed.
- When I reflect on those times and my feelings, what were my motivations?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much of what motivated you as you can remember. Consider that beliefs are not motivations, though our beliefs can motivate us to behave in particular ways.
- When I reflect on my feelings, beliefs, and motivations, in what ways did I:
- Compromise myself and/or my core values?
- Agree to behaviors or conduct which diminished me? Diminished others?
- Avoid voicing concerns or fears, or asking tough questions?
- Prevent someone from exercising their rights, such as voting, or receiving the basic necessities for their personal well-being?
- Advocate for my rights and/or the rights of others?
- Gain acceptance and understanding for who I am?
- Honor and accept another person just as they were, even if I didn’t agree with them?
- Acknowledge and/or celebrate expertise, experience, and/or education different from my own?
- Create space for conversation, connection, and compassion?
- Open a door and make a place at the table for someone excluded, even if it meant others might then decide to exclude me?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies for each.
- When I imagine that I, too, can have the mindset that was in Christ Jesus, what am I willing to do to foster a greater sense of belonging for others in my life?
- List, word map, or illustrate everything you can imagine, being sure to note the specific people and/or organizations involved.
- When I contemplate the ways that I have struggled to belong, what am willing to do to see myself as deserving, dignified, and divine?
- List, word map, or illustrate everything you can imagine.
Remember, as you work with this devotional, that we each have daily opportunities to nurture belonging, even though having the mindset of Christ Jesus is sometimes challenging. So, take as much time as you need to contemplate your feelings. Allow them to be divine messengers for you, as you discern how you want to foster more ways of belonging for yourself and others, too.
© 2021 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
Recent Comments