Sinclair
Lewis’ novel Main Street tells the story of Carol, a sophisticated city
woman who marries a country doctor. She feels superior to others in her new
small-town environment. But her husband’s response to a medical crisis
challenges her snobbery. An immigrant farmer terribly injures his arm, which
needs to be amputated. Carol watches with admiration as her husband speaks
comforting words to the injured man and his distraught wife. The physician’s
warmth and servant attitude challenges Carol’s prideful mindset.
In all of
our relationships as Jesus’ followers, we can choose to think we’re superior or
we can humbly serve the interests of others. Paul, the apostle, tells us, “Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only
for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4).
We can learn to consider others’ needs more important than our own as we focus on Jesus’ example. He took “the form of a bondservant,” and gave Himself up for us (vv.5-8). When we fail in valuing others, His sacrifice for us shows us the humble, better way.
