CLUELESS

Leviticus 25:47-27:13; Mark 10:32-52; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 10:22

 “’Listen,’ he said, ‘we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans.  They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.’  

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do us a favor….’”

I feel for James and John.  Talk about missing the point….  Jesus poured His heart out, and those guys trampled that sucker flat!  In a different context, it might be funny; here, it’s borderline pathetic.  How did Jesus keep His patience with them?

Better question: how does He keep His patience with me, Mr. Agenda Oriented?  The Spirit’s answers are drowned out by my questions.  So, as long as I’ve messed things up anyhow, Lord, I, too, have a favor to ask.  Would you teach me to put You and your heart first in my life?  I want to feel what You feel, know what You know.  What?  You want me to start by putting others first?  Hey, this is supposed to be a religious experience!  I want to be closer to You.

Well, O.K….  I am trying to stop interrupting my wife. (It’s a start!)  Y’know what?  Turns out she’s a pretty smart lady!  In fact, colleagues, friends, most everybody seems a little brighter and more interesting when I focus on them.  This “putting others first” is about a lot more than common courtesy, isn’t it?  I think I’m beginning to understand… that is the way to You.  If I empty my self in service, then whatever’s left is You. 

God’s agenda is always better, more productive than any other. More important, there is going to be a test someday, and the Holy Spirit has a lot to teach us between now and then.   Let’s pay attention.  Let’s be intentional.  We cannot learn, we cannot be prepared, if we don’t affirmatively put His Plan first. 

I’m tired of being clueless, Jesus.  I’m tired of priorities that don’t sustain, and that end up just draining my energy and my soul.  Send up a flare; I promise I will try to pay attention, and focus on what You want.