Insight for Today

Read 1 Peter 5:5–7

Maybe we should confess that one reason we find it so hard to set selfishness aside and adopt the spirit of a servant is that we’re driven by dreams of success. We want to be winners.

Curiously, however, most people admit they never realize what they truly desire in their pursuit of success: contentment, fulfilment, satisfaction, and relief. On the contrary, the roads that are supposed to lead to success are not only rocky; they’re maddening.

Read Matthew 16:23–24

Those four words stood out in bold print.

They appeared as if they were forming an enormous monument, each letter seemingly chiselled out of granite. At the base of this strange “monument” were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people with their arms stretched high, as if worshipping at a shrine. And then, in very small letters, this caption appeared at the bottom of the editorial cartoon: “Speaking of American cults...”

Surrounding the borders of this picture were four familiar lines from well-known commercials:

Read 2 Corinthians 4:1–2

Let's think about an essential mark of following Christ: absolute honesty.

Remember these words?

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

And how about these?

Read 1 Timothy 1:12–14

Even toward the end of his life, the apostle Paul had not gotten over the great mercy he had received from Christ:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:12-14)

Read 1 Corinthians 2:1–5

The great apostle Paul was just like you and me. He had a love for God blended with feet of clay. Great passion...and great weakness.

The longer I thought about this blend, the more evidence emerged from Scripture to support it. Read Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

Read Colossians 1:15–16, 18

In many churches, Christians tend to get so caught up in a success-and-size race that the primary calling of following Jesus gets lost in the journey. We have skidded into a pattern where the “haves”—the most influential or financially successful individuals in life—and not the “have-nots” call the shots. Truth be told, it is difficult to follow when you’re used to being out front leading the pack.

Read Philippians 2:3–4

Read Matthew 20:21, 25–28

Journey back with me for a moment to one of the many scenes that demonstrated just how ordinary Jesus’ disciples were. What makes this account interesting is that mother of two of the disciples. She’s Mrs. Zebedee, wife of a Galilean fisherman and mother of James and John. Her bold request still makes me smile:

In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left. (Matthew 20:21)

Read Mark 10:45

Ever wonder if Jesus would have agreed to star in His own reality TV show? Let’s allow Him to answer in His own words:

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

No mumbo jumbo. Just a straight-from-the-shoulder response. Jesus came to be a servant. Being a celebrity wasn’t in His DNA.

Read Romans 8:28

Our world has become a large, impersonal, busy affair.