"I Can't Ask Him to Be Less Than He Is" (Philippians 3:8)

The Sound of Music is one of most beloved movies in the world. A compelling story, a rambunctious family, and the wonderful songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein connect this movie to our hearts. Of the many memorable lines, one of my favorites is this exchange between Max and Maria. Max was pleading with Maria to convince her new husband, Captain Von Trapp, to work with the Nazi German regime, who had just annexed their home country of Austria.

Max: He's got to at least *pretend* to work with these people. You must convince him.
Maria: I can't ask him to be less than he is.

Maria’s response reminds me of the importance of self-respect. We need to be sure of where we stand with our own moral sensibilities and be in line with our moral compass. But more importantly, we need to know the direction that our moral compass is pointing.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul had every reason to boast in his accomplishments. But when he met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he realized it was all rubbish. He now knew his true identity was based entirely upon his relationship with the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. He had to decrease and Jesus had to increase. He wanted to be like Jesus Christ, anything less was unacceptable.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, anything less than being like Him is not an option. We must always examine our lives and our moral compass and be convinced that it is pointing only toward Him.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.