Tuesday, February 22nd- A Child Like Humility

The disciples had a wrong focus when they asked this question. They were looking at greatness from a worldly view. What makes you great in the world’s eyes? Is it your achievement? Doing something great for other people to see and marvel at? Accumulating possessions? Being a CEO at the right company? The world sees greatness because of your personal achievements. They see you as great if you are part of a winning team.

The disciples wanted to be considered the greatest so that other people would see them sitting on high with Jesus and marvel at just how great they were. I would imagine that they were tired of see the religious leaders being touted as being great. They wanted their turn at glory also. There whole idea of being the greatest was off focus. They had a worldly perspective of great- ness.

Today Christians struggle with the same thing. We want to be great in the world’s eyes. We so want the approval of the world we get off focus of what is important. Jesus tells us we are to humble ourselves like a child. Jesus tells us that greatness begins with humility. We need to get off the selfish wagon and get on the path of humility.

A father took his family to a restaurant. Before the meal, his 6-year-old son prayed, “Thank You for the food, and I would even thank You more if Mom got us ice cream. Amen!”

Amid the laughter, a woman nearby said indignantly, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream?” The lad overheard her and burst into tears. Just then an elderly gentleman came by, winked at the boy, and whispered to him, “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul some- times.”

When dessert came, the boy picked up his sundae, walked to the lady’s table, and set it before her. With a big smile he said, “This is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already.”

This young boy showed the kind of selfless humility that Jesus was talking about. A child-like faith is a faith that relies on Jesus! Where are you? Is your pride stepping in the way? If we want to please God, we have to duplicate that childlike attribute of humility in our own lives.