Kids want to be the line leader; athletes want to finish first, and yes I am mildly competitive. In school I was a good student, but not valedictorian, I have ran multiple races, but I never finished first. I can honestly say, that I do not think I ever finished in first place in anything in my life. There are many self-help books teaching the reader how to be number one, in sports, in business and in life. I have no desire to read one. (Yes, I have flipped through the pages of one recently, which spurred this blog.)
Striving to be my best is a desire of mine, striving to be better than everyone around me, is not. Also, while I do fail at this, I seek to always put God in first place, rather than myself or anyone else. “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (Proverbs 3:6) When Christ was asked what is the greatest commandment, “He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27)
From this I gather three things:
- Love God! Without end, in all you do, and as best you can, LOVE GOD!
God desires our love so much, and fully admits that He is a jealous God. “Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14) He love us so much He wants nothing less than our full love in return.
- Love those around you.
I do not mean any kind of love in particular. My understanding of this is more of value them and respect them. They are a creation of God, and worthy of respect and value. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) Therefore to always put yourself first, is to want others not in first place ever, and not successful, and not valuing and respecting their talents and gifts.
- Love yourself! If you are to “Love your neighbor as yourself” you must love, respect and value yourself before you can understand how to love others.
We are created in the image of God and loved by Him, therefore we should love respect and love ourselves. “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” (Psalms 139:13-14)
To wrap this up, all I am saying is selfishness and always wanting to be first isn’t a place we are called to. We are called to work to our best abilities but first and foremost, to love God above all else and to love others as much as we love ourselves. Strive to build yourself and others to success.
Sprinkles through the Day 