Recognition

The temptation comes at us daily in some form or other to stand on our so-called rights, to desire to be appreciated for what we think we are, and to be given our “proper” place.  This was what the mother of James and John was looking for---not for herself, but (for a mother this comes to almost the same thing) for her sons.  She asked Jesus to assign them seats in heaven (see Matt. 20).  Jesus answered that the privilege was not His to grant.  He used the incident to teach the lesson we need every day: don’t bother about making the weight of your “authority” felt.  Forget about “who you are.”  Don’t give a moment’s thought to rights if you are in earnest about following Me, for I am the one, remember, who came to serve and to give up---not only My position with the Father, not only all My “rights” and My very glory, but My life.  Do you feel you deserve to be first?   Be a servant.  Give up everything.  Together, then, we will enter into joy!

The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot