the encounter

there’s a war inside. its a war that few recognize. most assume the feeling is natural. for most it is.

some recognize the war. they fight against it. they don’t allow it to win. the keep back the desire to always be first. they make the call to intentionally and joyfully let others go first.

in the day in which we live, it does seem highly unatural. today i’ve wrestled through some of the reasons:

• we think profit/loss. we want to always be on the increase of possessions, wealth, position, and status. to let someone else go first wars against that thinking. i can’t always prosper if it let someone else go ahead of me.
• we reject feelings of servitude. and rightfully so. because of the injustices of our own nation’s past and injustices we see around our world today, we fight against anything that comes close to slavery or servitude.
• we think the more i get my way, the more happy i will be. there is an almost natural sense that if i can position myself to a place of ease, independence, and power that gives me servants then i will be happier.

the sad reality is that none of these are true.

the most joyful moments are those in which we:

• give up all for someone we love
• become a servantfor someone we love
• give up our rights for another’s rights
• give up our expectations for another’s expectations
• give up our privileges for another’s privileges

where is the war within you to keep yourself out of first place?

Tags: first place, war