“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” C.S. Lewis.
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED POST
Entitlement the Weakest Link-by Lois Macdonald
One of our main objectives as parents is to prepare our children to be successful adults. We're delighted when our children remember their "please and thank you," and learn how to be good team players. But, if our teenagers don't show any signs of sincere gratitude, such ungrateful attitudes are usually a sign of a person who believes they are entitled to whatever they want!
~James 3:16~ -For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (ESV)
Watching our teenage son being swept up in this selfish behavior, we chose to send him to an outbound school run by lay ministers. Every winter, the boys went on snowshoe runs that lasted for most of the day. Each team was divided equally with both strong and weaker boys. Team leaders would tie a long scarf around their waist and around the waste of their most vulnerable member. This is called "scarfing." There was never any animosity, just one goal in sight and that was for every individual to finish the race.
Talk about character building! Many CEO's of successful companies realize that their company successes lie in the strength of the collective team, not the singular. Their growth and strength depend on their unity of purpose.
Our Sovereign God created us to be team players, not alone. Church leaders know that to build up the church body and grow in faith, we need each member to be a team player. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV)
Bottom line, we need each other and how much sweeter the taste of success is when it is shared with others. So be a team player.
"What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude." - Brene Brown
~Prayer~ Dear God,
Please fill us with Your Spirit of love and unity among believers across this nation. Teach us to set aside our differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. Help us to live a life full of love and compassion for one another. Unite us in spreading Your Gospel across this bountiful nation. Amen.