Admit
it. That’s the best place to start. Inside each of us, in our minds and sometimes
our hearts, there is a battle going on between good and evil, between right and
wrong motives. To be honest about that
battle is to have a “leg up” on finding victory.
Some
people have a much easier time with motives than others. Some people act out of selfishness more than
others do. Inside every human being
there is a desire to be successful, but we have to get to the heart of it. Why do we want what we want? Why do we act and respond the way we do?
Even
the best of the people, by our standards the best, battle emotions and wrong
motives. That is why we have to trust
God to convict us of wrong and give us wisdom to do what is right.
In Matthew
20 Jesus dealt with two of his disciples that were having a hard time
understanding what was most important in life.
Jesus set them straight after their question to Him. As you read these verses not the motive of
the disciples and the gentle reminder of Jesus to serve no matter what.
20 Then
the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons.
She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What
is your request?” he asked.
She replied,
“In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you,
one on your right and the other on your left.”
22 But
Jesus answered by saying 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?”
“Oh yes,”
they replied, “we are able!”
23 Jesus
told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to
say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places
for the ones he has chosen.”
24 When
the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were
indignant. 25 But Jesus
called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it
over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be
different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first
among you must become your slave. 28 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.”
Leading isn’t easy. Leading also must be a selfless so others get
the most out of what it is you are doing.
The conflict we are dealing with if we are honest and deal wisely will
leave us acting more like Jesus and less like ourselves.
Even Jesus came to earth to
make a difference and not to live for Himself.
May God help us make a difference by being a servant!
NOTE
We’ve been praying for
Catrina Lawless and her family as she has been battling cancer, but I’d like to
ask you to bless her with a birthday card since this coming Tuesday is her birthday
(mail a card to her 216 Ridge Rd., Collinsville, VA 24078).
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