Want to be first?

I never thought I was a competitive type of person although growing up there was a certain amount of competitiveness being one of 5 children, usually around meal times and who would have the last potato, slice of bread etc. I didn’t have particular things to brag about – we didn’t have much.

It’s amazing that when you have your own children you somehow develop this insane drive within you to prove that your child is the best, the cutest, In the mother and toddler group you child has his/her first tooth first, crawls first, walks first, and does her first poo on the potty at 3 months! Never have a tantrum in public and the most beautiful hair. In church, they speak in tongues at 1 year and pray for healing for their younger siblings! They are going to be the youngest worship leader and preach their heart out by the time they’re 6.

My husband Paul also (I thought) not a very competitive person (never really been into sports – hates football), has surprised me with the growing up of our children.  For instance when our son John started nursery at age 3, it came around to Easter time, when the letter came home about the decorated egg competition, I saw another side of him.

Honestly, you can hardly believe what our 3 year old produced. John was very into dinosaurs at that time and managed to make a whole dinosaur park with 2 Eggstraspecial dinosaurs, the addition of rocks, caves, trees and a river were amazing for such a young boy. Of course he and his dad were overjoyed at winning first prize. The next year in reception he went on to make an incredible scene with a ski slope, egg with full ski kit, snow etc., again coming home with 1^st prize! Third year was a little perplexed when coming home with a letter stating that all children’s work must be their own – he sulked for a long time ……..Paul that is!

As I said John at aged 3 was very into his dinosaurs. I remember a salesman being in our house one day, little Johnny playing on the floor. Salesman “hello there, you’re very cute, what do you want to be when you grow up”? Reply – A palaeontologist!

Paul was so excited, brimming with pride as the salesman pulled a quizzical face while Paul said “Yes and he also knows how to spell it”

So why does this matter, aren’t we all like that about our kids? They’re amazing!! None more so than mine!

Competitiveness – for what – do we strive to be the best, get the most, be the first – to what avail?

Mark 9:35 puts it clearly ….  Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Jesus should be the only first in our lives, we have to be second, our own egos, failures, fears, triumphs, qualifications, experiences, successes, hopes, loves, wants, heartaches, pains, burdens, shames, troubles, tears, needs, thoughts, ideas, plans, all those feelings that well up saying I’m the best, I can do it first, I want, need, it’s mine, my right, need to all take 2^nd place.

Jesus is the one and only I am.