One of the dangers inherent in developing a skill, gaining experience, or having a talent is that one may come to consider it only in terms of the potential it holds for obtaining power and admiration. That is, self-centered ambition and the lust for power may reign in one's heart instead of a willingness to serve for the good of others without recognition. This is most clearly a problem in ministry settings. For example, someone who has served as a Sunday school teacher for 15 years might inwardly begin to crave recognition for her work, and to resent the chair of the Christian Education committee who hasn't served as long as she has but has more power and gets more attention; if she allows this desire for recognition to have its way, she will replace harmony and trust on that ministry team with conflict and bitterness. But it is not limited to ministry, and I'm sure you could come up with examples relevant to your own experience! In any situation where someone in a subordinate position believes themselves to have more skill or experience than the person over them, there is great temptation for this kind of resentment, and anyone who has not felt it in themselves is a far better person than I am.
In God's way of doing things, however, all of this is turned on its head. The One whose example we are supposed to follow, though He had the most complete and legitimate claim for authority and recognition of anyone in the universe (being all-powerful and all-knowing rather help with that claim!), chose to serve those who were by any objective standard lower than Himself, genuinely and simply, without complaining or boasting. So, likewise, the Apostle Paul tells us to consider the needs of other people as well as our own needs, and to think of other people better or more worthy of esteem than ourselves - because if we think of others in that way, instead of allowing ourselves to think we are superior, it is far easier to love and serve them with a willing heart. So, again, Jesus told His disciples that those who are greatest among His children are those who lay down their pride and lust for power to serve the least of those around them.
The goal, then - the great adventure of life - is to discover and act upon the opportunities we have to serve those around us. It is like a treasure hunt, where each act of service is a priceless jewel, and the lowliest and most ignored labors are the most beautiful gems of all.
So, the question becomes, how do you know that pursuing higher education or a more "prestigious" position isn't the way you are called upon to serve others? How do we know what impact our lives may have on others in the future by what we do now?
ReplyDeleteI think what I wrote is applicable no matter what situation you're in or what education and career choices you've made. What I was warning against was not higher education or influential positions, but the attitude of pride and self-glorification that can frequently accompany them (as well the attitude of resentment and entitlement that can accompany a lower position, when the person thinks they deserve something more). If God wants you to serve other people in a way that requires higher education, than of course you should get that education! But if you think having that education makes you more important or worthy before God, than your attitude is misplaced; if you think you should be winning accolades and praise because of what you've done with your education or because of your talents or influence, than your heart is in the wrong place. The question of what specifically God has called you to do with your life isn't the subject of this post; the question of how your heart should be in relation to Him and to other people is.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense, and I pretty much knew that is what you meant. It just made me think of the othe question as well. Being human, it does sometimes become hard to keep pride out.
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