We picked out another Helen Lester book at the library the other day, called Me First. I thought it would be a good conversation starter, and although it has been, I realized that the moral of the story is actually selfishly polite. Why should we share? Because sometimes being first isn’t desirable for my pleasure or comfort. It’s not a bad story, but it’s not complete.
I remembered again that politeness is a strength of the moral, non-biblical mother. But manners isn’t biblical in itself. If I’m going to be biblical, I have to get my motives right. So I told David the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet found in John 13:4-17. I asked him, Did Jesus say, “Serve me first”? In this case, the questions are more important than their understanding of the passage. I’m reading the passage to communicate that the Bible is our authority (not Helen Lester, or any other human person). On another occasion this week, we turned to Philipians 2:3-8. I asked, Is Paul telling us to be “Me-first” people, or “You-first” people? Again, the question is more important to me than whether he understands the passage.
Several times this week I’ve followed up with asking both David and Bethel if they’re acting like the disciples who were fighting over who would be first. It’s been a good passage to work on.
And… it’s been a good passage for me, too. So many of my own decisions are about me, first. I’m praying that God will help me to serve others first.
How has Scripture changed something in your life this week?
This is interesting to me because the Lord has taught me some things lately, my Mom used to shower me with gifts at Christmas time and now that she is with the Lord that doesn’t happen anymore. My husband isn’t into gift giving either, so the Lord spoke to me, I realized Christmas isn’t about me or receiving gifts at all, true it is fun to receive gives but the bigger pleasure should be in giving them. So with the Lord’s help, I will give my husband the gift of a new attitude and not even be disappointed when I receive nothing from him. It’s not about me! Viv Butts
hey, I will post mine on my blog. I enjoyed your thoughts and will go check out the verse you mentioned in John. It’s somehting I think may be helpful for Ella Grace and always wanting to be first.
Thanks, both of you, for sharing what God is teaching you. btw, Kelly’s blog and post can be found by clicking on her name. Any others? I know there’s more of you skulking about!