Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"
In these posts I will be interacting with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.
Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking with us.
There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!
So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!
IT'S ALL ABOUT ME?
"An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all -- he is the greatest.' (Luke 9:46-48)
"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we want you to do us a favor.' 'What is your request?' he asked. They replied, 'When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.' But Jesus said to them, 'You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?' 'Oh yes,' they replied, 'we are able!' Then Jesus told them, 'You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left'…When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant." (Mark 10:35-41)
Me first, Lord.
Oh, how often I've thought that.
Forgive me for comparing my life to others.
Forgive me for being jealous of others' possessions, talents, successes, and opportunities.
Forgive me for seeking the approval and applause of people.
Forgive me for wanting recognition.
Forgive me for all the permutations of pride that sneak into my life.
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Lord, forgive me.
God has prepared places for the ones He has chosen.
Oh Lord, teach me to be content with my place.
If you endure, you will also reign with Me!
(Selections from Luke 9, Mark 10, and 2 Timothy 2)
Do you ever get caught up in the compare/contrast *rat race* of discontent in the Kingdom?
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
What, ME? Get caught in the rat race and comparison trap? Oh never...
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to be flesh and blood, especially the flesh part.
I will say that I have experienced some growth in that area over the past few years. More often than before, I'm just too fifty for that. I want to compare the old Debbie to the newer one instead since that's a more optimistic approach.
Sharon, I read this exact verse yesterday and had very similar thoughts. It was an "ouch" moment indeed. I realized I have been guilty of wanting to be the greatest and envious if I perceived someone was greater than me. Good reminder from God to make sure to watch my motives and my heart.
ReplyDeletehave a good day!
betty
Ooh, this one probably gets us all. I know I'm guilty often of that "me first!" thing. Thanks for the conviction to lay it down.
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteThere is such a good lesson in this. Just about everyone wants to be first. It reminds me of a time when our kids were little and misbehaving in the back seat of the car. It was in the days before seat belts and restraining seats for kids. Hubby decided it was time to discipline them which meant a spanking. I know. That isn't done much today, but this was 50 years ago. So, he yelled back into the back seat as he was pulling off the road. "OK. Who wants to be first." Our son, the youngest, was pretty nieve. He said "I do. I do." He learned not to volunteer to be first.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte