8-10 “Don’t let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of ‘Father’; you have only one Father, and he’s in heaven. And don’t let people maneuver you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
11-12 “Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Reflection
“So, tell me about yourself.”
This is how so many job interviews start, and I hate it. It was especially rough on those very first job interviews, where I couldn’t reference previous job experience. I thought I was clever and scripted a response, something like, “I’ve been raised to serve my community. My mom is a nurse, and my dad is a firefighter. I’m too squeamish to pursue nursing, and I’m not strong enough to pursue fighting fires, so I chose to serve my community by teaching.”
I thought that was pretty clever, and it does get to the root of my personality.
My other least favorite question in interviews is “Why do you deserve this position more than anyone else?”
I don’t!
I am qualified, I want this job, I’ll do a good job, but I’m not better than anyone else.I just work hard, live openly, and serve others.
Becoming a mom has emphasized this piece of my personality that I guess I knew but didn’t really acknowledge. Now that I’m an adult past most of my “required” education, I am best motivated by helping others.
I have a hard time sticking to hobbies or figuring out what next step to take in my own education because I can’t help but be distracted by what I should be doing for someone else. How does this contribute to others? How does this help anyone but me?
If there’s something that needs doing, it’s a low-priority task unless it’s helping someone else. (I realize there are some red flags in this way of functioning, I’m working on it.)
Dinner for me? Pasta. Everytime.
Dinner for my family? In my best weeks, I’m meal planning to make two or three healthy and delicious dinners that fit the budget, with leftovers filling in the gaps. In my worst weeks, I’m making sure my girls are getting their colorful food groups, even if it’s just carrot sticks and grapes, and some carbs and protein I know they will enjoy.
Date night for me and the hubby? eh, it can wait, until we had a talk and I learned how much he needed space and time away from the kids too.
I am a person who puts everyone before myself. It’s just how I’m wired. I thought all of us were wired this way. I thought part of being a human is to help the other humans around you to live more comfortably. I become genuinely baffled when I become aware of a scheme that only serves its creator. Why would you do that? Are you some cartoon villain?
But also, I just want to do the things. I cringe when anyone acknowledges that I am doing any more than any other human would do for a good cause or for their loved ones or for their job. I’m not special, don’t give me credit for something when it took a whole team of people to make it happen. Why are you singing Happy Birthday to me? All I did was be born… sing to my mom instead!
I am clinging to the Message translation of this scripture because it says, “But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.” That’s what I’m trying to do.
It’s not my turn for accolades or a pedestal. It’s my joy to play my small parts. It’s my joy to help when I can. It’s my joy to serve.
by Ashley Bowler
For Pondering and Prayer
First of all: Thank you for the ways in which you serve others. How are you serving those around you? When was the last time you shared a quiet moment of gratitude for the service you’ve been able to offer? Have you ever realized that you are doing great things in your everyday kindness?
Dear Lord, We’ve all had turns receiving accolades and enjoying the warmth of the spotlight. We are grateful. It’s worth embracing those moments and valuable to move forward from those moments, ready to offer someone else the same opportunity. Thank you for the opportunities to help others and live by your love in service to others. We celebrate the gifts we have to share. Amen
