December 2024
(1 minute, 22 seconds)
Two years ago, my dear husband was dealt an awful blow.
After dedicating nearly 32 years to a company, his position was abruptly eliminated—with no inkling or warning. In an impromptu meeting, his boss, his boss’s boss, and an HR representative delivered the shocking news. They assured him it wasn’t performance-related and left him just a few weeks to find another job within the company or face permanent termination.
His role had been a perfect fit—one he excelled at and cherished. It was in the realm of global something-or-other, but more importantly, it made his heart sing. He thrived on making a difference and solving meaningful problems.
Seventeen job applications, seventeen tailored cover letters, and many interviews later, he was approaching the deadline for termination. One evening, he told me, “I would scrub toilets to keep our health insurance and maintain our retirement with this company.”
I married a godly, dedicated provider. During this past grueling two-year chapter of his career in a job that felt as uncomfortable as wearing shoes three sizes too small, he demonstrated a humility and perseverance that few could fathom—or would willingly choose.
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Jesus knows a thing or two about scrubbing toilets.
As the song King of Kings by Hillsong puts it:
“From a throne of endless glory to a cradle in the dirt.”
Take a moment to marvel afresh at this truth:
Jesus willingly made Himself nothing. Though He was in the form of God, He did not cling to His equality with God. Instead, He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men.
More than that, He humbled Himself further by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
Jesus understands being brought low. He understands suffering. Too well, He knows the sting of being the target of wrath—even when He had done no wrong.
In our times of suffering, in our moments of being brought low, there is a strange and precious gift: the opportunity to identify, even in the slightest, most minuscule way, with Jesus in His suffering.
All glory and praise, all worship and adoration to our Lord Jesus Christ, who “though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor so that we through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)