Joel M Bradshaw

33And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”–Mark 9

So many of us want to be first, but do we want to be last? That perspective makes no sense. Even if someone is mired in self-hatred and debasement, they are choosing to wallow in their shame because they feel they deserve it. I’ve at times been there. The focus is still on you even as you hate yourself!

The servant Jesus describes serves everyone with the focus not on themselves. A servant will never be seen as first in the eyes of the world, but is prioritized in the eyes of Jesus. Serving as many as possible with a true attitude of humility is possibly the best perspective one can have. Annoyances turn into opportunities.

Three S’s for your workplace, family, and marriage: Selfless, Sacrificial, Service. Make them yours every day! Stay intentional, my friends!–JMB