It’s not all about You

Everyone struggles with it. You want to be the center of attention. You want to be the one everyone turns to in a time of need. You want. You want. You want. Well, it’s not all about you. Consider today’s Gospel Reading:

Luke 9:44-50 (RSV) - The Lord said to his disciples, "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered in to the hands of men." But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great." John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you."

Even the Holy Apostle struggled to keep their ego in balance to the point of arguments about which apostle was the greatest. Notice how in this reading the apostles even attempted to stop others from casting out demons. It was bad enough that Jesus had to remind them, “It’s not all about you.” Well, He didn’t really say it that way, but I’m pretty sure that is what He meant.

OBVIOUSLY there are going to be cases in which others are abusing the name of Jesus. OBVIOUSLY there are going to be situations in which we can’t follow someone who claims to preach the Gospel. Even though in today’s reading Jesus said, “He that is not against you is for you,” there were other times when He warned, “" Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7.15)

The point that I want to make today is just because someone is not living as you think they should, or speaking as you think they should, or teaching as you think they should, doesn’t mean it is your responsibility to correct them. God is greater than you or me. If it isn’t your job to correct them, let them be. God can handle the correcting.

One additional point I wish to make today. Jesus said, “Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you,” doesn’t imply that he is for God; just that he is not against you. There will be many that are working against God, but aren’t your responsibility to correct. Your job is to be faithful over what God has given to you, and allow God to handle the rest. I’m sure there is something that God has appointed to do the correcting. He always has in the past. It just might not be you, but that’s ok. It’s not all about you.