Have you ever wished for something to happen, then regretted it later? Have you thought something you wanted would be great only to find out after you had acquired it it was not as great as you thought? Have you asked to be put in a position only to find out it wasn’t what you thought it would be?
We often think we know best. We think we know what we want to do, only to find out it wasn’t what we expected. We strive to achieve a higher position but discover it is not all its cracked up to be. We wish for specific things to happen only to regret it when it does.
James and John thought they knew what they wanted, but Jesus knew they couldn’t have it. First, it was not His to give to them. Second, He tried to discourage their asking by asking them if they could endure what He was going to endure. Again, they quickly said they could. Jesus knew better but told them they would have to go through many trials and persecutions in service to Him.
As we ask God to promote us or put us into positions of honor, we don’t really know what we are asking for any more than James and John did. We want the honor and respect, but don’t know to achieve it we must undergo trials and persecutions, which we do not want to go through. Rather than asking God to elevate us, we should ask that he use us as he sees fit based on how he has blessed us and according to his plan.
I pray we all stop asking God to elevate us to places of honor. I pray we seek to follow God’s plan for our lives. I pray each one of us will ask God to use us according to his blessings. Stop seeking honor. Seek to follow God’s plan. Be willing to be used by God. See the blessings God has given you.
Mark 10:38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
Marty Pressey 