by Pastor Rich Carlson

Here is how to make others happy. If I use the formula Paul gives in his letter to the Philippians, it will have a profound effect on my family, my friends, and my neighbors.

To make his joy complete Paul asked the Philippians:

• to be "like-minded" (2:2). Find common ground, focusing on that which pulls us together, not that which pulls us apart.
• to "have the same love" (2:2). Agape love is defined as that which exists at all times with no conditions.
• to be "one in spirit and purpose" (2:2). Unity and working together for each other’s good seems to be a recurring theme in God’s word.
• to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit" (2:3). That is a good benchmark for assessing my attitude and approach to life.
• to humbly "consider others better than yourselves" (2:3). Where is my focus—on me or on others?
• to "look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (2:4). It’s not all-or-nothing but a balanced approach to living.
• to have Jesus’ attitude. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (2:5-8).

Jesus is truly amazing. His unselfish love for me and His faithfulness to me should motivate me to be like Him—and to make His joy complete.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.