Ever wonder whether competitiveness is a godly trait or a humanly one?  Ever find yourself driving in the right lane of the freeway, cruising a good five miles over the speed limit, and then you begin to notice all the drivers passing you in the left lane? It seems that no matter the age, sex, religious preference, each driver is clenching the steering wheel with both hands while their faces are pinched in sheer determination to reach their destination in record time or die trying. Here  you are  relaxed, enjoying the countryside (with enough space in front and behind you to drive defensively), thinking about the scripture you recently read where Jesus stated, .“The first shall be last, and the last shall be first”. If you ever have, you probably also broke out chuckling because you are “living the scripture” while driving. Let us “explain”.

First, have you ever notice on the freeway that cars seem to gather in clusters? There is always someone first and last in every cluster. If we had a helicopter view, we would also notice that spread over a five mile route there would be a first cluster at the beginning, and a last cluster at the end, with many clusters in between. Your observation that may cause you to chuckle is this: the first driver of the last cluster (who may have worked hard to become the first driver by speeding and weaving between lanes) will eventually catch up with the next group. At that time he will become the last driver of that first cluster. Likewise, the car traveling last in the first cluster will eventually fall behind where it will become the lead car in the cluster behind it. THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST, AND THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST.

What does all this mean with us not having to be first anymore? Simply, it doesn’t matter anymore. It is not important. We don’t have to be first anymore because we are secure in Jesus. Jesus is the First and the Last. We will gladly accept wherever is in between. If you want to get in front of us, go right ahead. If you want to get behind us, go right ahead. Our place is secure with Him.

OUR PRAYER

Our Great Dad, thank you for making us first in your life with and in and through Jesus. Everything that we have, hold, prefer, and desire is found in Him. We know that we are first with you. Even when we are last with you, it is better than first in anything else. For you always keep us as the apple of your eye. Thank you for sharing time with us. Thank you for creating it and sustaining it.  Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Consultant & Coach for Christ-Centered
Business Owners & Executives

Dr. Mike

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God
Website: EnjoyLifeInChrist.com

Which is more important? Being right or keeping the peace? Which is more important? Being right or allowing love to have its way? Which is more important? Being right or experiencing supernatural joy?

How did you answer?  When these questions first are introduced to us, don’t we jump to the “right answer” or simply stumbled with a reply? Being brought up in a ”religious culture”, aren’twe trained to first seek righteousness which translates for the most of us to mean “being right in doctrine” (as we see the answer to be). To be right in rituals (again, as interpreted by us). Or to be right in defining God (our view of course is always correct). Isn’t it until the above questions slap our spiritual face that we have a rude awakening. Don’t you find as we mature in the faith that “being right” isn’t that important anymore.

With hindsight being one of the great teachers in our life, can we be honest with ourselves and see how God has allowed us to be wrong many, many, many times, yet He rarely immediately corrected us with “the answer.” Instead. He allows us to experience His peace, love, or joy first. His righteousness is far superior than any legalistic system we can every devise. His righteousness takes into consideration the entire internal spiritual dimension while we only focus on the exterior behavior. His ways are far superior then anything we have come up with in our man-made systems.

As a disciple of His, we want to learn how He relates with people and then emulate it. We want to learn how He works with people, and make it our method of operation. We want to learn how He loves people and love the same way. He is our standard. He is our model. He is our hero. His way is the way we want to walk in. “Being Right” isn’t always the correct answer. In fact, we don’t have to be right in all things anymore, only in the important one, Jesus.

OUR PRAYER

Our Righteous, Loving Dad, thank you for loving us even in our ignorance. Thank you for loving us even when we suffer “brain damage.” Thank you for loving us even when we are wrong. Help us to love like you. Help us to love; to love; to love … So Be It.

Consultant & Coach for Christ-Centered
Business Owners & Executives

Dr. Mike

Author of Great Business Emulates

How thankful are we (speaking about the majority of us) that our calling is not to be a politician? Imagine the challenges we take on to make decisions based on the popular vote of the people rather than our conscious.  How would that eat at your soul?

When we watch our young people battle their peers when it comes to making decisions, doesn’t it remind us of ourselves? How often would we come home and say, “But mom, everyone is doing it?” Or, “But mom, they can’t all be wrong.” How many times in our life was the battle comparing us with them? Us with they? or us with everyone else? Now they, them, and everyone didn’t have a specific name most of the time. They were just people who you would read about. Or they were associates who you wanted as friends and needed to perform in a proper manner (their manner) to be acceptable.

Is it not amazing that most of us discharge the “they” argument and throw popularity opinions in the garbage as we mature? At least we become more self-confident in our decisions and acceptable of ourselves as a person. This probably is more so when we become a disciple of His. When we accept Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and Friend, don’t we accept His “opinion” and outlook to what “is popular” and His commandments and principles? He becomes the standard. He becomes our Friend. He sets the stage for what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.

We now don’t have to take opinion polls, read the latest fashion magazines, or catch the latest commercial fad. We simple look in the Bible and pray for guidance. In doing so, we become more acceptable of others, and more tolerant of ourselves.  We don’t seek the popular answer; we seek the best answer for all. We look for a win-win answer. If we have difficulty in arriving at a decision, we approach the Throne of Wisdom and ask for assistance. We place character and morals ahead of expediency and popularity. We are at peace with ourselves and with our neighbors.  We are disciples of His and He is our popular vote. We live our life accordingly.

 Our Prayer

Our #One Dad, thank you for calling us out of this world and revealing you to us. Thank you for sending us Jesus who you gave great favor and blessings while He resided on this planet. It is you who deserves all popularity.  It is you who deserves all fame. It is you who deserves all recognition.

Help us to live abundantly in the Body of Christ.Let your church exemplify your life of love,joy,and peace. Let the Spirit of Jesus be worshiped and honored and magnified throughout the churches, homes, and workplaces of your saints. Install a great desire in each of us to make you and your ways the popular lifestyle of the youth and parents every where.  Help us to magnify you and your life in everything we do.Amen.

Consultant & Coach for Christ-Centered
Business Owners & Executives

Dr. Mike

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God
Website: EnjoyLifeInChrist.com