What Are You Here For?

Scott McFarland
02/20/22 - Sun AM Worship

Me First!

We talked about kids a couple weeks ago and how funny they can be.  They think nothing of sharing honestly and openly with what they want in life.  If there’s one phrase that’s commonly heard in their younger years, it’s “me first!”  This is usually shouted with their desire to be first in virtually any task or activity: being served food at mealtimes, having to be buckled into the car, getting into a line for anything at school, etc.  Even the most mundane of experiences are made more important if there’s competition for it.

While we do mature to a degree as adults (I don’t know if I’ve ever heard an adult shouting “me first!” as they go to do something), we do still quietly harbor some of those same feelings and/or tendencies for self.  We like to be able to get the best cut of something, the first choice for a job opportunity or the preference for ________.  Fill in the blank with whatever you want.  This morning, we look at a conversation about two brothers’ request for being first and the lesson Jesus taught from their question.  His ultimate response was “be like Me.”  Ironically, Jesus had just gotten done explaining his impending death to them.  I’m not sure how that went over.

Are you willing to put aside your selfish tendencies and to think of “the other?”  I love what Philippians 2:3-4 says: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or deceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Others more significant than yourselves.  Could you say you see life that way                                                                                   

        -Scott McFarland