SECOND PLACE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Colossians 3:13

Be even-tempered, content with second place…

Really? Second place? Are you sure?

“Come on Lord! You know this is a dog eat dog world out here! It is winner take all! Winners get the spoils, the trophies and the super-models, not the runner ups, not the second place finishers!” “No one remembers who got the silver medal or the red ribbon.”

But oh how GOD turns things on its ear. He is so good at the unexpected wrinkle or throwing us a curve when we were thinking fastball.

I mean here we are living in a culture that says winning is everything, that being top dog and Numero-uno is where it is at.

But GOD tells us to not take much stock in “culture’s” view of things.

Romans 12:3

…Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.

Instead GOD says winning ISN’T everything. GOD says pay attention to what is important to me and He says serving and “second places” are the way to go.

How do we know?

Because that is the way that Jesus lived.

Matthew 20:28

In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others…

But that is not an easy task is it?

Being content with second and putting others first often feels a little “ill-fitting”; it just doesn’t set right in our “me first” culture.

But GOD has made it clear it is the ticket!

For just as Christ humbled Himself to leave heaven and come to Earth to serve, just as He was content to put others first, we should follow His example and do the same.

So let’s try not to get too hung up on finishing first or with the hardware and medals in our trophy cases and instead seek those opportunities to serve one another.

Let’s put the needs of someone else ahead of our own today. Let’s be content with second place.

Maybe let someone go ahead of you at the grocery. Instead of reading the paper at lunch or catching up on TWITTER or FACEBOOK pen a note of encouragement to someone.

Put yourself “second” for “a second” and serve.

Philippians 2:3-4

…in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

"...You'll be changed from the inside out!"

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney