I Want My Way!

I Want My Way!

There was once a couple of parents who were concerned about their son. He was well-passed the age of talking, but had never uttered the first word. They took him to specialist after specialist but the tests were always negative. He was perfectly healthy, physically and emotionally, but year after year past and no talking. Finally, one evening at the dinner table, the boy spoke. He pointed at the broccoli on his plate and said, “I hate this.” The parents were obviously overjoyed. “Son,” they cried! “You can speak! Why have you waited so long to say something?” In a strong clear voice, the little boy said, “Well, everything was OK up until now!”

Isn’t that the way many of us are? We only open our mouth to complain. Little Suzie brings home all A’s and one B on her report card. Mom says, “Why couldn’t you make straight A’s.” Your spouse spends all day washing,  Scrubbing, and cleaning house, but the first words out of your mouth are “Where’s my favorite towel? You know I’m particular about my towel.” Your wife prepares you a nice meal, but you say, “You know, this meat is a little tough; how long did you cook it?”

Why do we complain. Why are we not grateful? It’s simple, I want my own way and it really doesn’t matter who I hurt, upset, or criticize. I will stop at nothing to get what I want.

As the first child born on my mom’s side of the family I was doted on by everyone—spoiled rotten. I was the center of their world and it took a lot of spankings to disabuse me of the notion that life was not about me! Every child born into this world comes in screaming for their own way.

However, do we really grow out of this self-centeredness?

Let’s put this in a church setting, Paul deals with this issue at Philippi. Philippians 2:1-5 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any  tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Two ladies could not get along in that church. Philippians 4:2-3 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel. Their actions were ripping the church apart and causing immeasurable harm to the cause of Christ.

Paul begs them to be united to put aside their selfish ambition and self interests. How do we disabuse ourselves of the notion we are not the center of the universe? Paul said we are to treat others better than ourselves. We  should be like Jesus and deliberately put the needs of others ahead of our own. We should put the good of the church ahead of our own wants and desires. We should put the cause of Christ ahead of our own pettiness.

Don’t be like that little boy! Use your words to bless, compliment, and uplift —not complain!

I’ll say more in my lesson!

— Joey