DAY 98

WHO’S THE GREATEST

1 Samuel 10, 11 & 12 and Luke 9:37 – 62

Who’s the Greatest? Growing up I remember Muhammad Ali claiming that title. AMBITION! We must be careful, not just by what we mean by it, but how we might allow it to motivate us. If it means the desire to get ahead of other people – which it so often does – then it is a very dangerous motivator. We will find ourselves being faced with the “getting ahead at what cost” question, and if we ignore that chiding from our conscience we may well be on our way to “it owning us”. If on the other hand by “ambition” we mean wanting to do something well – then it can serve us in a positive manner, so long as we are not plagued by some ill placed sense of perfectionism.

In the New Testament lesson we read of several events. The effort the disciples are making to heal a young boy would seem to be them trying to do their best, even though they are coming up short. The discussion on the other hand about “who is the greatest” (vv. 9:46-48), the question about stopping others who are healing in the name of Jesus (vv. 9:49-50) and the question about whether they should “rain down fire” (vv. 9:51-56) are clearly misplaced motives of ambition on the part of some of the disciples.

In the Old Testament Saul has been made King! (Samuel pours oil on his head; if you have witnessed a baptism we pour oil on the candidates head in part to symbolize sealing them for Christ and in part because they are now part of royalty!)

We see Saul serving God…doing his best for God. In chapter 11 we read of Saul having the Spirit of God come upon him; he raises up an army and defeats the Ammonites. After his victory, he gains some very loyal followers. These newly minted loyalists ask about some others who “despised Saul” (v. 10:27) and offer to kill them. Saul says “No” because “today the Lord has brought deliverance to Israel”. Saul knows why they achieved victory, it was God, not him. He isn’t seeking adulation or vindication. He is content that God is glorified because he, Saul, did his best.

Our Old Testament reading ends today with chapter 12. In it Samuel is claiming that he did his best, serving God and not himself – and the people agree. Samuel also points out that they, the people, and the king, must do their best for God…that is the only way this relationship will work.

The readings today invite me to ponder my attitude of ambition. I wrestle with perfectionism. Twenty-five years in the Nuclear Industry and a few other factors have deeply planted this in me (who of you would like nuclear engineers to adopt the attitude, “well, I guess its good enough!). In life, all of it, we are to “do our best for God.” Not just when we are at work, but when we are with our family, when we are shopping, when we are watching TV, and more…we are to be doing our best for God. Sometimes I get serving God confused with serving the Church. There is always so much to do at Church, so many needs, so many people who need help…knowing when I have done my best and being content when it isn’t perfect is the challenge for me.

What are your challenges with this area of ambition?

Oh by the way, the answer to the question, “Who’s the greatest”…is God