First part 2
One of the most iconic lines from The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is, "If you ain't first, you're last." And that's how a lot of people seem to view this life. "Whoever dies with the most toys wins." Even to the point of making others look worse so you can look better. But I'm telling you, if you have to lose in order for me to win... have I really won? Or is it better when the tide raises all ships? But here's the deal--that takes a shift in your mindset. "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen" (Matthew 20:16) is extremely counterintuitive. It doesn't make sense to the "natural" order or the "natural" mind. Which is why you have to repent. And I'm using that word as it was intended--thinking again about something in light of something else. It's ok to revise your thoughts when you get new information. In fact, I would encourage it. You don't want to get stuck somewhere. And, listen, some things will never change no matter what. God's love for you, for example. Unconditional. Unchanging. Having said that--a lot of the things we take for granted could use some reexamination. People thought the world was flat... until we found out it wasn't. And, yes, I understand that there are still people who think it's flat. But I can't even go there with them. Especially not right here and now. My point is: When you know better, you can do better. When you understand that only in humbling yourself can you be exalted--and when you truly humble yourself you're not TRYING to be exalted, you're simply doing the right things for the right reason--then you'll stop trying to exalt yourself. "Humbling" yourself is not a "get exalted" life hack. It's not a if-then statement in order to sneakily get what you really want. It's a change of heart. A change of perspective. A renewing of your mind. It's focusing on what really matters instead of what really, really doesn't. I've Ranted recently about how rather than looking at the "greener" grass on the other side (and being envious of it), we need to focus on tending our own garden. By which I mean letting the true Gardener, Jesus, tend it. Now watch this: When we know that our garden is taken care of... that's when we can help other people with their garden. It looks like this in the Bible, "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too" (Philippians 2:4 NLT). And I'm going to keep saying this until somebody hears it: If I look out for you, and you look out for me, neither one of us will have to worry about ourselves. Basically the complete and total opposite of, "I have to win, even at your expense." Come on, guys, the greatest love you can have is laying your life down for your friends. And understanding that you only have friends... and people that don't know they are your friends yet. So, yes indeed, you can love everybody. You can lay your life down for everybody. You can give what you've got... to everybody. You come in "first" by putting others first. And if that makes you "feel" like you're last... be of good cheer. Because the last shall be first and the first last. Many are called, but few are chosen. This "Christian" life is not easy. It's simple: Receive and release the love of God. Let Him love you and love Him back by loving people. But that doesn't mean it's always super easy. Sometimes you have to put a lot of effort into it. Labors of love. What I'm here to tell you is that it's worth it. Love IS maximum effort. If you're loving someone, you're doing everything you can do. And that life of service is the only way to truly experience this everlasting, eternal, abundant, Resurrection Life that we have been given!