The Great Reversal

Has there been anything in your life that appeared to be the wrong thing for you to do (at the time); but in the end turned out to be absolutely the most correct thing you could have ever done (in your life)?[i]

In Matthew 20:26-28 (NLT), Jesus’ suggest a concept that seems like an illogical reversal in light of today’s frequently self-centered culture. What do you think?

“…Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave…Even the Son of Man[ii] came not to be served, but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

 

Author and motivational speaker, Lewis House, offers the following guidelines (with my insights) in becoming all that is achievable for you.[iii]

1.  Have a clear and powerful vision – Know what you want in life. When and how do you want to achieve it? Be as specific as possible.[iv]

2.  Embrace adversity – How can you know how tough you are emotionally unless challenges become a consistent part of your life? Great empathy for others often comes as a result of one’s own personal crisis.

3.  Find powerful mentors – Does it make sense to go on your pathway to achievement? There are generous individuals out there that want to help you meet your goals. They want to help you avoid the pitfalls they experienced. These good people want help you repeat the successful things they did that got them where they are today. Search them out.[v]

4.  Focus on environment – If you look around in your own community (with eyes of love), you will see the needs all around you? Why not make a positive difference in some small way?[vi]

5.  Be in service – This connects to the last point. Your issues don’t quite as problematic when you are in service to others. Your outlook on life seems to be much brighter when you are no longer inwardly focused on your wants and needs, but outwardly listening carefully to the requests for assistance all around you.[vii]

In life, it is important to be yourself. Bring all of you to everything you attempt in life. It’s difficult to maintain a life that is not the real you (just because that is what everyone has always told you that you should do).

Eventually, the truth about you (good or bad) will come out. Sometimes, it feels good to get outside of your common routine, and just be silly. Do your best today to add laughter to your world (where there was none before).

The idea of humor is artistically communicated in the child’s poem, “Put Something In.” [viii]

Draw a crazy picture,

Write a nutty poem,

Sing a mumble-gumble song,

Whistle through your comb;

Do a loon-goony dance

‘Cross the kitchen floor,

Put something silly in the world

That ain’t been there before.

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[i] The title of this post was taken from Matthew 20:16 (MSG): “Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.”

[ii] This is another name for Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

[iii] Taken from “Empowering Success in Your Life: Author Shares Life Tips” on NBC4 Today at 5am, September 29, 2016 (www.nbc4i.com).

[iv] “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV)

[v] “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.” (Proverbs 2: 2, 4, NLT)

[vi] When [Jesus] looked out over the crowds, His heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36, MSG)

[vii] “This is what God does. He gives His best – the sun to warm and the rain to nourish – to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the loveable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those that greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.” (Matthew 5:45-46, MSG)

[viii] This poetry is taken from the book, A Light in the Attic, by the late Shel Silverstein.