And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus never demanded respect or to be worshiped or honored. He came to serve. Not to be served.
Have you ever demanded to be honored or respected? Did the actions of the person you demanded respect from fulfill that need or desire. Or did it leave you still wanting more?
When we force appreciation from people it teaches them that honor and respect are demanded, instead of earned.
So in turn they will go and do the same to others.
But when we get our value from God, as Jesus did, we don’t need the approval or appreciation of others to feel honored or respected.
Getting our value from God turns the moments when we are honored or respected by others into ‘life bonuses’ that mean so much more when they aren’t demanded.