I try to live by the God code, “Always do what is right” recognizing that God can only bless that which is right. He cannot and will not bless our wrong attitudes or actions. You may find a disguised blessing in those wrong attitudes and action at times. Satan wants you on His side, so he might “bless” your anger, evil dishonesty or other attitude or action…….but rest assured that THIS blessing by Satan is surely disguised, for you will certainly pay consequences and he will be back in the corner snickering. WE WANT GOD’S BLESSING!
Mark 9:33-35 (TNIV)
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Here we have the disciples arguing about who will be of the highest position in the Kingdom of Heaven/the Kingdom of God that Jesus is inaugurating. They of course STILL can only see it as an earthly kingdom, not a Spiritual kingdom.
Here is the first point: It is not wrong for us to be industrious or ambitious. Indeed, God wants us to be both. However, when industriousness or ambition pushes aside obedience and service, it becomes sin and Satan snickers. Obedience is simply doing what is right, not lying, cheating, stealing, backbiting, not gossiping, etc. Service is maintaining an attitude of loving and caring for those around you.
Pride and insecurity can cause us to overvalue who we are. If it is position or prestige you desire you will surely find trouble, bitterness, and loneliness in your desire. However, if it is ambition based on using your talents to help others in humility and service…..you will gain, and the fruits of your correct desire will give back. God’s blessing stands strong and apparent….Satan’s blessing will bring turmoil and must always be defended, it’s always destructive (to you and others) in the end.
We are all like the disciples in this passage as well as like the Pharisees that Jesus most criticized, however, we can make the choice to follow Jesus and take another path.
Jesus does it again; He says one of those statements that makes you scratch your head and say, “Wow that’s wise! But what the heck does He mean? — “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
True leadership comes in serving others! I went to every leadership school offered by the U.S. Army over my career except the First Sergeant’s and Sergeant Major’s Academy. I was always amazed at how the leadership that was taught was “servant Leadership”, it was what was taught in the Bible. Want to win the war as a leader? Serve the soldiers underneath you, take care of their needs, be concerned for their needs and who they are….and they will fight for something bigger than themselves!
Ever work for a “Boss”? You can tell the difference, they care little about your needs and want you to “fight” (translate “work”) for their bigger selves….THEM! You can tell they are happy with themselves can’t ya, insecure, bitter, angry….you know the deal. Satan’s blessing is easily recognizable. Oh, they be rolling in the dough…..now that’s something to idolize…the money!
BUT, there is a choice. I work for a LEADER. Pastor Phil always says that his problem is trying to get us to take time off; his problem is getting us to take vacation. He is always encouraging us to insure our families get out our heart each day, not just our work. He encourages us to live and work healthfully. He insures we have the tools we need and an environment that is both healthy and pleasant.
I am blessed to be a part of a church staff that is unified in serving others and each other and unified in our efforts. We all love and respect each other, and we work our butts off because we are truly happy in what we do. Pastor Phil is always there telling us to go home and we are always there saying…we will, in a minute. Now that’s a place to work!
Jesus and Pastor Phil are my mentors. They demonstrate that greatness is determined by servant hood. They place themselves and their needs last.
Here is the key to my second point: Being a “servant” does not mean occupying a “servile” position. It means having an attitude in life that freely attends to others needs without expecting or demanding anything in return.
God can only bless our right attitudes and actions. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Great devotional, Jan! I agree with you in that we are a great team – we really are a TEAM! Most places I’ve worked do not have that attitude. I’m blessed to be a part of this team. And I love serving our church family and friends. 🙂 I believe I’m where God wants me right now, and that’s a cool feeling. 🙂
Yes, we are blessed 🙂