<p>When we refrain from living a life of humility and service, we will consequently aim at becoming the ‘King of the Jungle’ (the Lion). <br /><br /></p>.<p>Little do we realise that even the King of the Jungle is one day food for ants.<br /><br />When we glory in earthly powers, we deny ourselves even a foretaste of heavenly blessings. God has two thrones – one in the highest of heavens and the other in the humblest of hearts. When we cling to earthly thrones and seats of power, we dethrone God from our heart. We leave no legacy by the thrones we sit upon, but by the humble service our hands have rendered.<br /><br /> A dispute arose among the disciples of Jesus as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. The way the Lord Jesus responded shows clearly the apostles were not engaged in an innocent discussion; there was something amiss in their hearts. The word “dispute” indicates there was a wrong spirit in them. The one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like the servant (Luke 22:24,26). <br /><br />When we deafen ourselves to Christ’s call to a life of humility and service, we begin manipulating people’s minds, scheme revenge, become judgmental, back-stab, amass wealth, crave for accolades, titles of honour and betray people’s trust for a throne of authority. These are visible signs of those who hunger for power. All earthly power is but vanity that ceases with death.<br /><br />English poet, playwright and teacher James Shirley in ‘Death The Leveler’ part of one of his plays writes powerfully: <br /><br />The glories of our blood and state, Are shadows, not substantial things;There is no armour against Fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings:Sceptre and Crown, Must tumble down,And in the dust be equal made, With the poor crooked scythe and spade. Some men with swords may reap the field, And plant fresh laurels where they kill: But their strong nerves at last must yield;<br /><br />The greatest of emperors through history’s pages have won battlefields and raised victory memorials but their memorials and battlefields have withered in the dust and their stories faded from memory.<br /><br />The Scriptures caution us from dangerous hungers: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (I John 2:15-17)<br /><br />The wise Greek philosopher Socrates said, “You are wise and happy when you are not obsessed with power and possession.” He even renounced his footwear. He would often go to the marketplace and gaze at the plethora of things on sale and return empty handed. When asked why, he said, “I just go to discover how happy I am without all these things.”</p>
<p>When we refrain from living a life of humility and service, we will consequently aim at becoming the ‘King of the Jungle’ (the Lion). <br /><br /></p>.<p>Little do we realise that even the King of the Jungle is one day food for ants.<br /><br />When we glory in earthly powers, we deny ourselves even a foretaste of heavenly blessings. God has two thrones – one in the highest of heavens and the other in the humblest of hearts. When we cling to earthly thrones and seats of power, we dethrone God from our heart. We leave no legacy by the thrones we sit upon, but by the humble service our hands have rendered.<br /><br /> A dispute arose among the disciples of Jesus as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. The way the Lord Jesus responded shows clearly the apostles were not engaged in an innocent discussion; there was something amiss in their hearts. The word “dispute” indicates there was a wrong spirit in them. The one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like the servant (Luke 22:24,26). <br /><br />When we deafen ourselves to Christ’s call to a life of humility and service, we begin manipulating people’s minds, scheme revenge, become judgmental, back-stab, amass wealth, crave for accolades, titles of honour and betray people’s trust for a throne of authority. These are visible signs of those who hunger for power. All earthly power is but vanity that ceases with death.<br /><br />English poet, playwright and teacher James Shirley in ‘Death The Leveler’ part of one of his plays writes powerfully: <br /><br />The glories of our blood and state, Are shadows, not substantial things;There is no armour against Fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings:Sceptre and Crown, Must tumble down,And in the dust be equal made, With the poor crooked scythe and spade. Some men with swords may reap the field, And plant fresh laurels where they kill: But their strong nerves at last must yield;<br /><br />The greatest of emperors through history’s pages have won battlefields and raised victory memorials but their memorials and battlefields have withered in the dust and their stories faded from memory.<br /><br />The Scriptures caution us from dangerous hungers: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (I John 2:15-17)<br /><br />The wise Greek philosopher Socrates said, “You are wise and happy when you are not obsessed with power and possession.” He even renounced his footwear. He would often go to the marketplace and gaze at the plethora of things on sale and return empty handed. When asked why, he said, “I just go to discover how happy I am without all these things.”</p>