Downward Mobility…Are You Crazy?

Downward Mobility…Are You Crazy?

Posted on 11. Mar, 2009 by Josh Agerton in Formation

Been in a lot of conversations lately with friends Brandon Frenzel and Jospeh Nader about the downward journey in following Jesus.  Brandon actually wrote a really good post on this you should read.  We’ve been talking about how what looks like the way down is actually the way up…and vice versa.  Its the upside down Kingdom of God.  This scripture of Philippians 2:5-11 plays it out…

Isn’t it crazy that Jesus did this.  Being in very nature God he goes down, down, down, down all the way to being obedient to death…taking on the fullness of humanity, even owning the effects of the fall…death.  And not just any death.  Jesus did not pass away of cancer or a heart attack…a cross.

So what does this look like for those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus?  Many days I wake up and quickly realize that so much in me wants to go the opposite way.  I secretly want my name to be exalted and lifted up, instead of taking the hidden way of following him.  Then there’s the old trap of just looking like you are making your way down in following him…but in reality it’s just still self-exaltation but even more devious-pride in sheep’s clothing.

So what do I do about this?  What do you do about this?  We repent.  We confess our ways of self-exaltation…bring them to light with Jesus, accept his grace and look at him.  Seek his face.  Behold what he has done for us and simply gaze.

Could it be that what looks like a way down of following Jesus (becoming a servant, putting others before ourselves, allowing ourselves (egos, pride, selfish ambition) to die is actually where we find real life, real freedom, real love, real joy?

Anybody else have thoughts?  I’m going to bed now.

Much Love – josh

Tags: cross, Friendship, jesus

2 Responses to “Downward Mobility…Are You Crazy?”

  1. Dave Baldwin

    12. Mar, 2009

    Great post Josh. A couple came early to our community group meeting last Sunday evening. She broke down and cried saying she had never done anything in her life out of selfless motives. All she had done, including following Jesus, was for selfish motives. Of course Louise and I consoled her, but it did make me wonder. How much do I do things from a selfish base, including following Jesus? I’ve been think a lot about that and your blog has helped put some things into perspective.
    Blessings,
    Dave

    Dave Baldwins last blog post..Leadership in Ukraine (cont’d.):

  2. Julie UNITED STATES

    15. Mar, 2009

    What a great post. I resonate with so much of what you write (Well, except for the whole Leslie-as-marathon-runner thing…that will NEVER be me. Kuddos to her, though!). This has been the cry of my heart for the better part of the last several months. There’s a secret part of me that yearns for relevance and recongnition, too. And yet everything we read points us in another direction. The irony and the beauty of the way of downward mobility is that in the end (and even in the present) we are lifted up. The Message translates James 4:7 as “Get down on your knees before the Master; it is the only way you’ll get on your feet.” All the relevance the world and society offer cannot compare to the sure-footing God gives. Its funny how difficult it is for us to grasp that with heart and head. I have a great quote about this somewhere that I’ll have to dig up and e-mail to you…

    Ok, sorry for the long comment. You can see you inspired me with this post. You and Brandon both do!

    Julies last blog post..Words that Hurt and…Heal

Leave a Reply

CommentLuv Enabled