The Drag Race, Sort of…

On my way home from work yesterday, some young “whippersnapper” pulled up beside me and revved his engine indicating he wanted to race. Of course, I did not even dare look over and catch his eye for fear that I might be tempted to do it! Eventually, he sped up ahead of me, but I kept my eye on him the whole time looking for the right opportunity to blow past him. It never came. I’m not quite sure what that would have proved other than I find superficial fulfillment in being first place. What is it about people which causes them to lose all sense of discernment when it comes to winning or being the best? Some desire to be the smartest in the class, the most talented on the team, the top employee in the workplace, the best church in the area, the most beautiful in the school, and the most recognized in the community. Now there is nothing wrong with trying to excel, but there is something terribly wrong when winning or being the best is the motivation. Jesus’ disciples had a problem with wanting to be the best until He straightened out their thinking. James and John privately discussed their desire to sit on the right and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom. Selfishly, they viewed this position as a place of recognition and prestige and they wanted to be in it. The other ten disciples caught wind of James and John trying to weasel their way into a position of power so they got pretty ticked (Matthew 20:24). Jesus quickly called them together and instructs them about what it means to be great. Jesus says “whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave…” (Matthew 20:26-27). This must have leveled their selfish minds because Jesus was teaching something completely contrary to human nature – the way to be first is to be last and the way to be great is to serve others. An intelligent person now helps others to excel in the classroom. A good athlete works on making everyone around him or her the best. The outstanding employee uses teamwork to help the company. The church by love serves everyone in the community. The attractive person helps others to discover true inner beauty. The citizen becomes more concerned about the community. Jesus was not consumed with making a name for Himself, but with carrying out the mission given to Him by God the Father. As Christians we should never be obsessed with being the best, but our obsession should be found in serving others in love so they see Christ in us.