“Me first!!!!”
These words spring naturally from the mouths of our children
when a privilege or treat appears before them. The urge
to get it first, have the best, not have to wait for others
seems ingrained in human nature.
Most children have to be taught
to share, to wait in line, to take turns. Yet the urge
to compete, to be first, remains deep inside, ready to
spring forth at almost any opportune moment. Not that
such competitiveness is all bad, of course. From this
urge can come a desire for true excellence and for mastery
of any number of things. Out of healthy “me-firstness”
we see academic excellence, superb athletes, awe-inspiring
development of artistic or musical talent, and entrepreneurship
that develops new products and investigates ideas previously
unexplored. From this sense, we can come an understanding
of the nature of God and God’s love so full of infinite
grace that each one sees ourselves as the favored child
of God. Indeed, this brings wellness to the soul, deep
self-confidence that permits obedience to the Spirit of
God in sometimes unknown paths.
Yet there is another side to
the “me first” urge. That one says, “I
want all honor and the privilege and I don’t care
if anyone else gets any at all.” Jesus addresses
it by telling his “me-first” disciples that
they must learn to be “me-last” and the servant
of all.
Now, that’s a challenge.
Most of us like being served, but being the servant of
all? And last instead of first? What comes to our mind
when we think of being “last,” at the end
of the line? Scarcity, running out, long waits, impatience
building.
Is it like waiting in a long,
hot traffic jam with a broken air conditioner and 105
outside and EVERY OTHER CAR gets to go before you do?
It is letting everyone else win when you KNOW you can
do it better than the others but you choose not to show
your skill and expertise? Surely not! So how do we do
this?
