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I am a pastor and a clinical psychotherapist. My life's passion is defining healthiness from a human perspective and paralleling it to the holiness of God, divine perspective. Shifting perspectives creates a paradigm that is alongside of rather than over and against. The parakalein of God and the paradoxes of humanity are redefined. Humanity is all about winning and yet we are losing ground everywhere. Divinity is all about letting go of the desire to win and the fear of loss. The Divine embraces the world with loving care regardless of anything.

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Esteeming others better than you

Posted by Don Paine

Today I sat in a "memorial service" of an obviously loved and loving pastor.

I listened as person after person spoke about how she would not have believed that this many people would show up as she never really thought of herself s special but always treated people as if they were very special and unusually important.  This theme was spoken by the voices of old and young, nuclear family and church family, and religious community and general community.

The church was filled beyond capacity for this memorial service for this special person who treated everyone as special but did not think of herself as special at all.  This is why she would be so surprised to see hundreds of people there, nearly 500% of regular church attendance.

Philippians 2:3b "In humility consider others as better than yourself".  What a mindset to be mindful of others rather than minding other people's business. To esteem others better than yourself, not because they are, but because in doing so you are fulfilled while simultaneously fulfilling others.  In the economy of "spirit energy" when a humble spirit treats others as if they are more important than themselves the other person feels so valued and valuable that they automatically respond by treating you as having more importance than them. Instead of a mutual admiration society what this command intentionally creates (which is the intention of the creator) is a mutual affirmation of worth society that makes us all live better and be better inside and out.

What a gold mine toward "transformation".  As a group of youth put it to me upon discussing this principle and passage of scripture.  If I treat everyone as better than me and if everyone does that for everyone then everyone would feel better and be better toward everyone.  What a way to transform the world!  Imagine!

The secret of this pastor is that she practiced:  "in humility esteem others as better than you" and you will be affirmed as the best by all.

No wonder they came from far and wide to say "you made us feel loved" because she really loved them.
This is a tribute to a person and a principle.

In the sacred space of your today do and be sacred to others and sacred will come back to you!

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