Sherry Sterling

Dear friends,

Have you noticed that the teachings of God’s ways are not the ways we would usually do things? For example, people tend to seek the best for themselves—like the biggest piece of cake, the best seat on the airplane, the most prestigious title—but Jesus teaches us to turn that tendency upside down.

In the gospel reading for today, after the disciples James and John ask to be granted positions of honor, and the rest of the disciples are angry with them, Jesus tells them all, “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).

Jesus takes our human thinking that it is to our advantage to be great and first, and adds the spiritual truth of true power through service. He turns our thinking upside down. He encourages those seeking influence to be servants and slaves.

Servants and slaves give to others, not take for themselves.

Jesus encourages us to remember the wider needs and situations of all, rather than pursue our own status or advantage.

In relationships, I notice my own pursuit of advantage when I don’t feel understood. When I take not feeling considered personally, I take offense. Then I focus on being bothered by the other person’s actions or words. I jump to meaning-making and lose interest in gaining perspective.

Rather than give the benefit of the doubt, I take offense.

Jesus’ teaching applies not just to those seeking the best, like James and John, but also to those, like the other ten disciples, who take offense at others’ actions. It’s just the other pole on the same continuum.

When I’m looking out for my own standing, I am taking. I’m not looking to serve the needs of others. Then my communication is driven by taking a stand and focusing on what I think the other has done, rather than giving curiosity about what happened, and communicating how I’m feeling about it. That would serve us both.

I am reflecting on when I get caught up pursing my own positions, rather than tending to the wider needs of others in my relationships. I pray God may continue to mold me on this journey, developing my heart, through Jesus.

Peace and love,

—Sherry