I don’t think we fully understand that we have this false sense of entitlement until their is an injustice being done to us. Or something being done to us that is “not fair”… Then we start to throw hissy fits and temper tantrums like a child, and say “Why do THEY get that, have that, and I have this”.
In America, we (especially me) go into a restaurant and if the waiter brings out the wrong thing, we complain. We return things because we don’t like it anymore, if a store doesn’t have our shoe size or clothing size we call a manager to make sure. We cut people off in our cars because they disrespected us. We get annoyed when the line is too long at the store, and demand for another register to open… And the list continues on and on.
I am getting humbled this month. Getting checked…the motives of my heart. I eat with the kids, and I LOVE it.what was difficult at first to swallow was the food they eat…literally…and not because it’s nasty..because the other American missionaries get more American style meals..
I have to admit the first day my team sat at the “lower” position, I felt embarrassed, not important, not treated “fairly”. “I am an American too! How come I’m eating a thick pastey blend of God knows what,and not getting french toast and syrup, and they are!”
But thank God he checked me right away..reminding me of Philippians 2:5-8 ” you must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross”
And that just makes me love Him even more. Us humans are a created being…God always was..He is the ONLY one with an accurate and right sense of entitlement… He is GOD! And yet still he left it all, gave up his right to be HOLY GOD to become a human and subject Himself to the creation he made that crucified Him…all because of His love for a people separated from Him, and Him not being able to stand the separation..He gave up every angelic voice, His throne of glory… for cries of curses and an old rugged cross..
May every sense of entitlement I have continue to be stripped away… And follow my Savior’s example.
And since that first day God gave me this verse to cling to “Be thankful in All circumstances, for this is God’s will for those who belong to Christ Jesus” 1 Thes. 5:18
I am soooo thankful for my meals, for washing dishes with these incredible kids, for being a part of this Canaan community, for Sister Gladys and Pastor Henry, for learning that the only right I have is to be thankful and trust God for every little thing.
Plus.. Complaining just “feels” so heavy and tiresome..being thankful is just so much more “fluffy and bright” =)
May we all think twice before our next complaint…and instead may we be right in the center of God’s will for our lives…give thanks..
I have so many pics to put up, but the internet is very limited and slow here. If I can get some time on it, I will post up as many as I can so that you can see this beautiful country. But if not then it will have to wait till Ireland.
Thank you for your prayers, and support. Reading your comments is such an encouragement to me. They add an extra twinkle to my day. =)
Sorry for any crazy typos, I’m writing this on my phone.
Agenda: Love,
Bethsaida
