The Best Place

The Best Place

     My kitchen on any given morning is an obstacle course of "me first."

     My son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren have been living with us for the past 20 months, and many mornings, we all are in the kitchen at the same time.  Oh, and let's not forget the dog.  She loves the kitchen in the morning too.

    Most of the time mornings in my kitchen are a skillful dance of toaster, stove, sink, fridge, coffeemaker, cupboard, table, dishwasher and out the door.  

     But there has been days when there is bumping, pushing, arms snaking around another person to get that coveted item just beyond reach, lots of 'excuse me's,' and pulling out a drawer ever so slowly until the person standing in front of it finally moves.  

     Mornings in my kitchen should be a reminder of the scripture in Mark 9:35 from the Message Bible.

     He sat down and summoned the Twelve. 

“So you want first place? 

Then take the last place. 

Be the servant of all.”

     

     Jesus reminds all of us in this verse that when we push for our own agenda, it isn't always the best thing to do.  When I push my way through the crowded kitchen, am I being a servant or trying to take first place?

     This whole idea is foreign to the 'me first' American mindset.  How can last place be first place?  Since when, did a servant become better than the master?

     But to the Christian, the words of Jesus should be our motivation.  His actions should guide us.  

     I wonder how Jesus would act in my kitchen on any given morning.  He'd probably stand back and wait His turn without pushing in for first place at the coffee maker, stove or sink.  He'd probably ask, "What can I do to help?"

     And in so doing, He'd have chosen, The Best Place.

*** On Wednesday, February 13th, I won't be able to post on Facebook because I'll be on a cruise in the Caribbean.  Yippee!  I will have a devotional that will be emailed to those who are following me through my website. If you haven't signed up for my weekly devotionals, you can do so by entering your email address at the right-hand side of the screen just above the books for sale. (If you are on a cell phone--scroll to the bottom and choose view web version to see the whole screen.)