Daily Devotional May 9, 2023

After being off for a week, yesterday was my first day back at the church but as soon as I turned into the parking lot, I knew something was wrong.

Where was the marching band?  Where was the huge crowd of people cheering and welcoming me back?  Where were the fireworks?

I was caught off guard because you would think the congregation would be overwhelmed with joy in welcoming back the greatest preacher in the history of preaching.  Actually, that’s not true because Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, was the greatest sermon of all-time.  That makes Jesus the greatest preacher of all-time. 

So, where was the adoring crowd welcoming back the second greatest preacher in the history of preachers?

Outside of Pete running into the parking lot, falling to his knees, and raising his hands towards the sky as he yelled, “Praise God, your back,” there was no acknowledgement of my triumphant return.  It was as if no one even noticed.

Do you ever think you are someone important?  Do you ever think you are the end-all, be-all?  Do you ever think you are THE MAN/WOMAN?  Do you ever think others should recognize your greatness?  Do you ever get too big for your britches?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are wrong.

None of us is as important, significant, or necessary as we think we are.  In fact, those of us with overgrown egos need to remember, the world will keep turning without us.

It’s when we begin to think we are important, we are most vulnerable to making catastrophic mistakes with huge consequences.  If you don’t believe me, look at the Bible, look at the news, look at disintegrating marriages, look at all the powerful, famous, or prominent people who concluded the rules don’t apply, and ultimately, they pay a huge price.  Don’t be one of them.

Even if you are the head of Amazon, Twitter, or the Senior Pastor of the First Methodist Church of Temple, you are not as important as you may want to think you are.  This is why Paul said, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”  (Romans 12:3)

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you are the end-all, be-all.  That spot is already taken by the One who is perfect in every way.  This is the One who loves you in spite of your faults, failures, and fears.  The is the One who made the way for you to be saved.  This is the One who will never leave you, defend you against the evils of this world, and walk you through life to your true home.  This is the One who matters most.  

Whenever you face the temptation to think you are somebody, you have placed yourself in danger.  Don’t do it.  

The wisest of all people said, “Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall.”  (Proverbs 16:18).  Don’t be that person.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in those moments when I want to think I am important, remind me that the only good I experience comes from you.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

What gives us value is not our titles, degrees, or notoriety, it is the fact the One who matters loves us.  Thank God for his love.

Okay, now back to me.  You would have thought the church staff would have at the very least, had a cake welcoming me back to work, where I would solve every problem, and there would be peace, harmony, and joy for all to see and experience.  But again, there was nothing, nada, zilch.  I’ll just conclude by saying I am hurt. 

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins