Toy Stories: Ken — Servant vs. Selfish - Monday
Today’s Verse
Matthew 20:20-21
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” (ESV)
Before joining our staff, my primary mission field was in healthcare. Between completing graduate school and working in the clinic, I dedicated almost a decade of my life to serving in physical therapy.
As I reflect on some of the fond memories and moments from that season in my life, I’m also reminded of the deep work God needed to do in my heart to prepare my character for ministry. Healthcare is an extremely competitive field, from applying to grad school to landing your first job to advancing your career.
While it’s generally considered one of the most rewarding professions to pursue, healthcare also has a shadow side. What I didn’t realize at the time (but God eventually revealed in hindsight) is that it instilled an opportunistic approach to both my academic career as well as my professional career.
And here’s how this would emerge: How many times can I volunteer to strengthen my grad school application? Which names will carry the most weight with my recommendation letters? Who’s the most connected to referral sources in the community? And the list goes on.
Just to clarify, healthy networking can be beneficial and God-honoring. However, unhealthy networking can become prideful and self-serving. Or as Scott often says, “When a good thing becomes an ultimate thing, it becomes a destructive thing.” It all comes down to motive.
This is what’s unfolding before us with two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John. After hearing Jesus speak of rewards in the kingdom to come, these guys are looking for an opportunity to climb the kingdom ladder (Matthew 19:28-30).
As we’ll unpack throughout the course of this week, the way of God’s Kingdom is a cross, not a ladder. I’m praying God will recalibrate our minds and our hearts to look more like Jesus by the end of our journey.
APPLICATION
If you’re looking for a resource on this topic to supplement your time in God’s Word, check out The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller. It’s well worth the $5 investment.
PRAYER
Father, help me to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than myself. Open my eyes to the interests of others.