Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Different Paths


Different Paths

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

We are offered many different paths to walk on in this life. The journey can take twists and turns and ultimately we can only rest when we know that we are on the path God ordained for us. Being created in His image, we are automatically entitled. This week I have come across examples of the differences between having an entitlement attitude and possessing a servant’s heart. Certain entitlements are good because they have boundaries and limits connecting them that keep the attitude true and pure.  For example, a boss shows leadership over his staff or a parent shows guidance over the children.  An entitlement attitude goes wrong however, when a person elevates his own agenda above everyone and everything else. And those people that assume that stature are normally the ones that get disappointed the most.  There is a connection between entitlement and disappointment. We all know people like that don’t we? The one that thinks life owes them for their “sacrifice” to one thing or another. It boils down to taking something that is not theirs to have, but they see it differently.

Conversely, the servant’s heart has no agenda but to honor God and be His hands and heart in this world. They take their God-given skills, talents and resources and seek to help others before thinking of themselves. This person often works silently, secretly and without fanfare because they don’t need recognition and don’t seek it.  The servant is often humble.

We have often heard the phrase, “pick a side”. This is our chance to seek God’s Will and to make any adjustments so we can align ourselves up with Him. When Jesus walked this earth He could have taken the entitlement attitude but He did not. He served His Father and was humble while doing so. We have seen the example of what we should be, could be, by knowing Jesus and studying his spiritual journey.

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