Our society seeks success. We can be crass creatures of competition. Chomping to eat others in our jobs. Chanting to defeat others with our teams. Choosing to cheat others in order to get our way and achieve our goal.
We're proud people who far too often mistake our own merit.
"I deserve that dignity!"
"I've earned that honor!"
"I'm owed that award!"
In our craving of the crown we may knock out our neighbor, sell out our sister, and throw our brother under the bus. And for what? All that we might secure the best seat in the house - the place of preeminence where others' eyes might look upon us and marvel at just how wonderful we are.
Now, you might be thinking, "Oh, the wicked world!! How terribly they can treat one another!"
And at times it's true, they do!
But is the church a whole lot different?
Are Christians free from the tentacles of this temptation?
Are pastors immune?
Do sheep and shepherds ever become carnivorous cannibals?
Do I ever hurt you in order to help myself?
