It’s not about me.
Mark 9:33-37
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
The life of being a Jesus follower is the life of letting go of worrying about making sure I get what I want and what I think I deserve. It is amazing how frequently my mind turns to this kind of worry:
- Will I get enough time to myself this weekend?
- Am I respected enough by these people?
- Will I be paid enough money?
- Am I being appreciated enough?
Jesus is teaching me here that these questions are irrelevant. He is instead calling me to welcome Him in every opportunity in life. And to welcome Jesus is to live a life that welcomes others.
I am even more amazed how stress seems to vanish as I let go of these personal and internal demands and expectations I have. Realising it is not about me is very freeing!
Lord, may my life be open to welcoming others so that you would be welcome in the very centre of my life. Amen
Written by Andrew Mellor