“But, I’m Not the Star”

So, we were playing pretend this week.  Yes, really playing pretend with wagging baby-dogs and force-strong  jedi-knights and visits from the princess who is also a horse-trainer.   And the four of us were crowded around the coffee table, and my son was explaining what should happen next in the story–his version which included light sabers and lots of bad guys.  And his older sister interrupted emphatically with this statement,

“I don’t like this game.  It’s boring because I’m not the star.”

Yup.  My little diva.  And I laughed and told her she was going to have to get over that, and we continued on with Darth Vader and some Sith Lord who was trying to kidnap the still-wagging baby puppy.

But, doesn’t Kelty’s statement ring true?  I don’t know about you, but I can relate with getting bored when someone else is in the spotlight.  My attention drifts.  I hurry-up my turn to speak. I move on before I truly enter in.  Because if I were brutally childlike-honest, I am generally most concerned about myself.   How does this government affect me?  Doesn’t anyone see my sacrifice or my talent?  Isn’t my way of doing things better?

Essentially, how loud is the applause?

And it’s pride.  And it’s selfishness.  And it’s not at all the way Jesus walked around and loved when he wore skin. Jesus never stood on tip-toes; instead he chose to stoop. Soles covered in dust.  Human-hungry for bread.  Hours spent with the forgotten.  Feet-washing hands.

In fact, I’m pretty sure that if he was playing pretend with us that morning, he would have been just fine playing back-up good guy to my five-year-old.

Maybe I need to follow suit a little more.  Okay, a lot more.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself, and became a servant.” {Philippians, Chapter 2, selected}

What do you think?

In what areas is it hardest to choose contentment in the background?

What have you learned about pride and humility in your own life?

Tagged as: attitude, bible, faith, funny things kids say, jesus, pride, quotes