Solidariedade - Part 1

There are some dirty jobs out there. There are some things we would never do – never think of doing. Each of us has our boundaries that we will just refuse to go outside of. And so we come to our word for the day – Solidariedade. This concept is one of the most cherished values of Latin American culture. This concept focuses on helping others with no regard for one’s own wealth or poverty. If someone has a need, you help whether you have the resources or not. And if that need requires doing something that makes you uncomfortable, even repulses you, you do it. Why? Because you have placed the welfare of others above your own. This idea mirrors one found in Scripture:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:3-8 (NRSV)

Really think about the impact of what Jesus did. Imagine the President of the United States becoming a bed pan changer in a retirement home. Imagine the King of some nation going around and picking up trash after his subjects. These images are only scratching the surface of what Jesus did. Why would God become a slave? Because he had the fate of all humanity in mind when he gave up his Deity.

Consider the implications of following Christ’s example. When we serve we are not just aiding someone in need. When we serve as Christ serves, we are participating in the divine nature. We are living out the very purpose for which God created us.