“Invitation to Change: From Privilege to Purpose”
The invitation is clear:
Let the same mind 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.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he lived in gated community, in a big house behind high walls, with a a private security company that patrolled the neighborhood, a sophisticated home-security system, a collection of firearms, and all the latest technology, for the sake of love emptied himself, taking the form of a nine-year-old girl who loved soccer and basketball, and giggled her way through her days at a private school in Nashville.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was a United States citizen, did not regard his citizenship as something he had earned, something to lord over others, but because God so loved the world emptied himself, taking the form of a brown-skinned refugee—hungry, broke, afraid, and stranded on the Mexican side of the southern U.S. border.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was a cisgender heterosexual, did not regard that identity as normative, ordained by God, or better than any other identity, but for the sake of love emptied himself, being born into a body that did not seem to belong to him and then taking the form of a trans woman barred from affirming medical treatment, women’s sports, and countless public restrooms, and blamed for all manner of social ills.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was wealthy, did not regard his riches as a sign of God’s blessing, but for the sake of love emptied himself, taking the form of a person without housing, being born in a shelter.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was white, did not regard his privilege as a right, but for the sake of love emptied himself, taking the form of a Black man, being born into a state of institutional racism.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was a Russian oligarch, did not regard his nation’s power as something to be exploited and expanded, but for the sake of love emptied himself, taking the form of an old Ukrainian woman in Bakhmut.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was male, did not regard his power as something to be abused or believe he had the right to control other people’s bodies, but for the sake of love emptied himself, taking the form of a woman eight months pregnant and unable to access reproductive health care, even though the heart of her unborn child had stopped beating and she was close to death.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he had never suffered from depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD, for the sake of love emptied himself, taking the form of a person with schizophrenia who was handcuffed, shackled, and killed while in police custody at a psychiatric hospital.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was of sound mind and body, did not regard his health as something to take for granted, but for the sake of love emptied himself, being born prematurely and with several rare conditions—but no health insurance.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was born in human form and was taught that his species was the pinnacle of creation, for the sake of love emptied himself and took the form of a sugar maple tree in southern New England, struggling to survive amid conditions caused by climate change.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was Lord of Love, Fount of Joy, and Afraid of None, did not regard his abundance as something to be protected, but for Love’s sake emptied himself, being born into our weakness and violence, our mortality and fear, our division and oppression.
And being found in human form, Christ Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
And being found in a school classroom, he humbled himself and lived in love for the wholeness of all, and became obedient to the point of death—even death by mass shooting.
And being found on the wrong side of a border, he humbled himself and, for the purpose of love, became obedient to the point of death—even death at a detention center.
And being found a victim of white supremacy, he humbled himself and, to wake people up to the ongoing sin of institutional racism, became obedient to the point of death—even death at the hands of police.
And being found without a home, he humbled himself and, to shine a light, became obedient to the point of death—even freezing to death on a bitterly cold night.
And being found a woman in a man’s body, he humbled himself and, for the purpose of reconciling all things to God, became obedient to the point of death—even death by hate crime.
And being found sick and uninsured, he humbled himself and, for the purpose of justice, became obedient to the point of death—even death by bankruptcy.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who was there when darkness covered the face of the deep and a wildly creative God said “Let there be light.”
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who looked on when a repentant, love-sick God painted a multi-colored bow across the sky.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who whispered to the waters of the Red Sea, telling them to let God’s people pass through.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who wept over the horrible things God’s human images did to one another.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, whose homecoming parade for the Hebrew exiles was so fabulous that even the trees clapped their hands.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who continued to love God’s people, no matter how many times they broke his heart.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who kept trying different ways to get closer to his beloveds, until one day it occurred to him:
He would become one of them. He would come to know them from the inside out. He would do anything to show them the way to the fullness of life. For that purpose, he gave up all his privilege.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, whose first sight was not of his mother’s breast but the long, scratchy tongue of the cow who found him in her feeding trough.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who stayed up late every night trying to think of new, clearer ways to convey the extravagant love of God.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who washed his beloved disciples’ feet, lingering lovingly over every corn and callus.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who wept when he heard the cock crow the third time, knowing what pain Peter was in.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, instead of saving himself, died a criminal’s death so that we might see that the path to new life is made by selfless caring for the least of these.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who loved you with an everlasting love long before you were born.
Be in the same mind, which is tenderness.
Be in the same mind, which is mercy.
Be in the same mind, which is longing.
Be in the same mind, which is bearing the pain of others.
Be in the same mind, which pours itself out for the sake of justice.
Be in the same mind, which accepts the consequences.
Be in the same mind, which is love.
So that you might know God, who is love.
So that you might know life.
So that you might know healing, wholeness, and fulfilling purpose.
So that we all might know that Jesus Christ is Lord, that love is the only way, that love is what we were made for, that love is what will save all humanity and all creation.
To the glory of God, our Gracious Parent.