"But even if I am poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you." (Philippians 2: 17)
Being a doormat is simply not on my priority list, and I doubt it is on yours either. In this day and age, no one encourages you to be doormat....ever. The prevailing thought in our culture is that it is never good to be a doormat for anyone. We are taught that we should never let anyone walk over us. To do so is to impede our own person-hood, lowering us beneath another. On the surface this may seem right to you because being a doormat always has had a negative connotation; however, this mindset stands in direct opposition to the Word of God.
In My Utmost For His Highest yesterday, this verse (above) and Oswald Chambers's wisdom is used to counter the philosophy that the world offers us. In the devotional we see Paul speaking of being "poured out like a drink offering" over another person's ministry, and gladly rejoicing in being able to do so. It is so important to see that Paul was drawing no attention to himself. On the contrary, he is pointing to the ministry of the Philippians, and rejoicing in their accomplishments for the gospel. He knew that his part in their ministry was necessary, but not to be elevated higher than what they themselves were accomplishing for Jesus' sake. This is humility; this is allowing someone to walk over you, and even beyond you, to fulfill their calling.
Too often, though, we struggle with our pride and flesh when someone else is flourishing. We don't like sharing the lime-light with others; we prefer to have it all for ourselves, mostly. But this would never be said of the humbled believer who desires to be poured out as a drink offering over someone else's sacrifice and service. Like Paul, we must learn to be the simple wine that is poured over the choice piece of meat that is the main sacrifice. We must learn to be the lesser in light of the greater. That is the true nature of the drink offering. We simply cover the sacrifice before it is burned up.
So, are you willing to be the doormat of another's ministry? Are you willing to simply be a "drop in the [already filled] bucket"? Are you ready to be such an insignificant part that no one will remember you even if they call to mind the ones you served. Will you simply stoop to serve them and then slip quietly into the shadows without so much as a second of attention drawn to yourself? It is humbling just to consider such a question. And its consideration likely will show you the amount of pride that dwells within your flesh.
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