Just before she graduated she would go one last time to her Bible study, where her friends were nice. She might even gain some tips on how to achieve her fortune. Well, things didn't go as she had planned. In fact, the verses under study had to do with humility. The great success story was slowed down and, you might say, spiritually throttled. Saint Paul and Jesus got in the way -- big time. The more they studied Philippians 2:1-13 the more she began to question her motives.

I. Consider others better than myself? (vv. 1-4)

"Don't I have right to be me? How dare anyone even suggest I shouldn't exercise my ambition. Isn't it God-given, and doesn't He expect us to use our time, talent and energy? Of course I am going to look after my own interests, and that's my business. Excuse me, it's my life, and I will take charge of it! But wait, this is Holy Scripture. Christ died for my sins and arose from the dead for everyone. Better do some adjusted thinking. Maybe a little revision here and there and I can still have it all! Don't remember reading these verses before. Well, maybe God is trying to tell me something."

The question had really become very sobering. The "talking back" made her feel guilty because, after all, the Bible was the Bible. A healing chain reaction had begun. It was like watching dominoes slowly fall over and with little effort on anyone's part. Those about her that evening could sense a major struggle was at hand. While they had some of her feelings of "having it all," it wasn't really to the extent she had. Deep down all were cheering for the healing chain reaction to complete itself, so all could benefit. She was visibly moved, and frustration was apparent. She had doubts about selfish self-realization.

II. Did Jesus really do that? (vv. 5-11)

Aren't we Easter Christians, and don't we put all the emphasis on Him conquering death? Jesus made Himself nothing? Yes, He was humble, and that's fine but so what? He became victorious and nothing else matters all that much.

I get so sick and tired of all those pious people walking around like they are sick! Jesus was a servant. In a way we are supposed to be, too. But whoever said we were to be doormats? He was obedient to death. Yes, and we are told it was a terrible death on a cross. Maybe we had better place in our memory the permanence of all of this.

Now, they came to the passages they all wanted to take and hold dear. Emotions ran high, including hers, as they pondered that His name was above all names. It sounded like sooner or later all would bow before Him. God would see to that. Oh that was thrilling! Many tears were shed as the Holy Spirit moved among them.

Imagine every tongue confessing Jesus Christ is Lord. It had begun to dawn in a very forceful way that Jesus had done so much for all and especially everyone there that evening. Just maybe His self-realization was a lot more important to imitate than hers.

III. How practical is all of this? (vv. 12-13)

Good, fine and lovely! Now where do we go with all of this? Now that we have come down off cloud nine, it's time for a reality check. Will this attitude toward life work in the every day world? That's debatable, and common sense says we had better get the stars our of our eyes.