THE JOY OF LOOKING SIDEWAYS

By: Pastor Flávio Macieira - 2025 | Day 2 of the series "THE JOY MINDSET"

Think about your favorite sports team. What makes a team truly legendary? It's rarely just the talent of a single superstar. The teams that make history are the ones where generosity prevails: the player who passes up the shot to give a teammate a perfect assist, the one who sprints twice as hard to cover for another's mistake, the celebration that's louder for a colleague's success than for their own. In contrast, teams loaded with stars who only play for themselves, focused on their individual stats, eventually implode under the weight of their own vanity.

Our culture, however, trains us to be the star of our own team. The message is constant: "look out for number one," "get yours," "build your brand." We live in a relentless competition for recognition and self-interest. That's why Paul's teaching in Philippians sounds so radical and revolutionary. He gives us an equation for joy that turns our worldly logic completely upside down.

The second component of the joy mindset is this:

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT)

Let's be honest: this is hard. Our factory default setting is self-preservation. "Thinking of others as better than yourselves" sounds like weakness in a world that preaches self-confidence. Looking out for others' interests before our own seems like a surefire way to get left behind. Paul knew this internal struggle. That's why he doesn't present this as a mere moral rule but as the outcome of something much deeper: having the same "attitude" (or phroneo in Greek) as Christ Jesus.

And what is the attitude of Christ? Paul describes it in one of the most beautiful and powerful hymns in the entire Bible (Phil 2:6-8). Jesus, who possessed all the rights and glory of divinity, did not cling to them. He "emptied himself." He gave up his privileges, took the nature of a servant, and humbled himself to the point of death. Christ's passion was not for his own exaltation, but for our salvation. And here's the secret: it was through this emptying, this descent, that He was exalted by the Father.

Joy, therefore, isn't found in the endless pursuit of filling our own egos, but in the willingness to empty ourselves for the good of another. It isn't about self-negation, but about self-fulfillment through service. It's the joy of the player who celebrates the assist, the parent who delights in their child's success, the leader who invests in their team's growth. It's a richer, more durable joy because it doesn't depend on our individual success but multiplies in the well-being of the community.

How about we take a practical step to cultivate this mindset?

In your next workday or family interaction, set a challenge for yourself: ask one more question about the other person than you talk about yourself. Or, even more proactively, identify an opportunity to use your influence or time to help a colleague or friend achieve a goal with no direct benefit to you. Start training your heart to "look sideways."

To let this challenging truth sink in deeper, reflect on these questions:

• In a recent situation, did you act more out of "selfish ambition" or "humility"? How could the "mind of Christ" have changed your approach?

• The idea of "thinking of others as better" is radical. What fear or insecurity makes this principle so difficult to apply in practice?

• How does the example of Jesus, who "emptied himself," challenge your personal definition of success, power, and importance?

Let's ask God to perform this radical transformation in us.

Lord Jesus, Your mindset challenges everything in me. I confess my heart is selfish and seeks its own glory. Forgive me. I want to have the same attitude You have. Empty me of my pride, my vanity, and my selfish ambition. Fill me with a humble love that empowers me to see others as better and to serve with joy. May my life be less about me and more about You and those You've placed around me. Amen.

The world's happiness says, "look out for yourself." The Kingdom's joy says, "look out for others."

Did this message speak to you? ✨

• Comment below one practical way you can "look sideways" this week.

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