Great
And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” – Mark 9:33-35
The good ole disciples. They lived so long ago yet they act just like us. Peter, James and John had just been on the mountain with Jesus during the Transfiguration. They had seen the glory of God and been through something few human beings had ever encountered.
They had a transcendent experience that should have infused passion, joy and harmony into their community, yet it led to rank, file and posturing about who was the greatest. They got sucked in to the hierarchical view of life.
The hierarchical view asserts that the higher you are translates into the most influence, significance and greatness. The world’s philosophy is you are great if others are working for you, Christ’s message is that greatness comes from serving others.
Be involved in something great today and know that it probably won’t have anything to do with the world’s standards of greatness or success. But like Jesus instructed, that is what will make it great.
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For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… – Ecclesiastes 3:1
I am not a big fan of acronym teaching all the time but I found this folded piece of paper in one of my prayer journals this week while perusing some old entries. It was given to me several years ago and written by my friend and former colleague at Liberty University, Hope Mink, who has since battled cancer and is likely one of the godliest ladies I’ve ever known.
She shared this with me in a season of waiting in my life and intense longing for God to speak and guide me to a door of opportunity. What I’ve since discovered, and was brought back to again through Hope’s piece, is that we exist in a constant season of waiting in our lives. Our human nature always pines for something or perhaps, someone. The topic is perpetually relevant.
This was a great reminder of what we should do in every season of waiting; powerful truth to make sure we don’t waste a chance to grow while holding out for something. I pray this helps you:
W – Worship Him with a willing heart which overshadows the anxiety of waiting.
A – Acknowledge Him by our behavior and attitude that He is in control of all circumstances.
I – “I” must decrease and He must increase. Inward strength comes from Him while waiting.
T – Trust the timing to God. He is not overly concerned with the timing as He is with the character being developed in His child.
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