The request, ‘Share,’ is, to most two-year-olds, a forbidden word. This is true whether they are the only child or one of several siblings. The word typically bursting forth with vehemence at this outrageous demand is, ‘Mine!’ One might wonder, what parent would ever teach such an attitude? The answer, of course, is that this fierce sense of tight-fisted ownership comes pre-wired from the factory. The parental duty is to un-wire it, often braving screaming fits, alligator tears, tantrums, then, finally, a sulking, crossed-armed, petulance. Growing up is hard.
But as we grow up, we learn more and more sophisticated means of guarding all that we consider vital to our pursuit of life and happiness. There are fewer and fewer tantrums , fewer meltdowns. More and more subtle responses to threatening demands on our time, our energy, our stuff, our ‘me’ time. Even when it comes to the subject of love, we are me-focused. This is nowhere more evident than in marriage where the two become one – easily said, of course, except with my money, with building intimacy, with my preferences, with meeting the other’s needs, with the afore-mentioned me-time.
The bottom line is that we, in our fallen nature, are largely self-focused. We can, of course, give more freely of those things which we consider of lesser value. But it does stretch us, sometimes uncomfortably, to give of ourselves, to be motivated to share in another’s pain, to listen to problems not our own, to, dare we say it, sacrifice our own wants to meet another’s needs.
This is why the Good News of the Gospel can seem like something other than good news. It makes demands of us, of our personal sovereignty. It clearly outlines a Kingdom lifestyle that significantly challenges our pettinesses, our graspings for top shelf, our scheduled leisure. And Jesus, our example of perfect humanity, lived it victoriously, sinlessly. He understands our weaknesses because he faced all the same testings we face but didn’t sin. That’s why we get to come boldly to his throne of mercy to find grace to help us when we need it most. From Hebrews 4:15,16, NLT. His love keeps him always in intercession for us.
Looking forward to seeing you loved- and interceded-for saints tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM UK. PD