The Drum Major Instinct

Intro

Today, I want to talk about how following isn’t leading. I know that phrase seems so obvious to us, but it bears some deep thought. You see, too often, either at church, or at home, or at our jobs, or in the community, we believe that if we were only in control. If we were the ones who were calling the plays and making the important decisions - if only they would put us in charge, we could lead the band.

Intro

This instinct lives in all of us. Young, or old, we all deal with this desire to be out front. To be on the tip of the spear. To be the one who calls the shots, and takes the praise. So today, I want us to approach our text, and this time of reflection, with that in mind.

Today, I want to talk about how following isn’t leading. I know that phrase seems so obvious to us, but it bears some deep thought. You see, too often, either at church, or at home, or at our jobs, or in the community, we believe that if we were only in control. If we were the ones who were calling the plays and making the important decisions - if only they would put us in charge, we could lead the band.

This instinct lives in all of us. Young, or old, we all deal with this desire to be out front. To be on the tip of the spear. To be the one who calls the shots, and takes the praise. So today, I want us to approach our text, and this time of reflection, with that in mind.

Mark 10:35–45 ESV

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Pray

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[picofinferioritycomplex] Alfred Adler was an early 20th century psychotherapist, who is credited with the formation of this idea of “individual psychology.” Essentially, that is the idea that we are assembled into an individual whole being by the circumstances that surround us. And within that idea, lies a single trait that rules them all.

Pray

[picofinferioritycomplex] Alfred Adler was an early 20th century psychotherapist, who is credited with the formation of this idea of “individual psychology.” Essentially, that is the idea that we are assembled into an individual whole being by the circumstances that surround us. And within that idea, lies a single trait that rules them all.

Inferiority. The feeling that we are incapable of performing a task or even that we aren't’ as good generally speaking as other people.

To Adler, this feeling becomes the driving force of who we are. So much so, that our entire lives become shaped by it - both positively and negatively.

Inferiority. The feeling that we are incapable of performing a task or even that we aren't’ as good generally speaking as other people.

And while the negative emotions of this life can drive us, our inferiority doesn’t have to show itself as an unwillingness to perform a task. No, more often, it shows itself through projection. We will cover our fears, and our inferiority, with this desire to be in control. To be out front. This drum major instinct, as perhaps one America’s greatest pastor’s called it.

To Adler, this feeling becomes the driving force of who we are. So much so, that our entire lives become shaped by it - both positively and negatively.

[picofkids] This desire, and its cause, can be seen clearly in children.

And while the negative emotions of this life can drive us, our inferiority doesn’t have to show itself as an unwillingness to perform a task. No, more often, it shows itself through projection. We will cover our fears, and our inferiority, with this desire to be in control. To be out front. This drum major instinct, as perhaps one America’s greatest pastor’s called it.

[talk about kids you mentor at VES...girl who would once show her fear of reading, and an unwillingness to give up control-----I can’t read….I won’t read…----...but week after week she opens up...gets better...this past week, after months of telling her she was good at it. After months of pouring confidence and love into her life, she ran back to the teacher and proudly exclaimed that she was a good reader.

[picofkids] This desire, and its cause, can be seen clearly in children.

[talk about kids you mentor at VES...girl who would once show her fear of reading, and an unwillingness to give up control-----I can’t read….I won’t read…----...but week after week she opens up...gets better...this past week, after months of telling her she was good at it. After months of pouring confidence and love into her life, she ran back to the teacher and proudly exclaimed that she was a good reader.

I will never forget her little voice telling her, “he said I was the best reader ever!”

Inferiority, caused her to be the drum major for fear, and for detachment. At least it did until that inferiority was abolished. Then she became a drum major for her new found ability! Her new love of reading, and herself!

I will never forget her little voice telling her, “he said I was the best reader ever!”

Inferiority, caused her to be the drum major for fear, and for detachment. At least it did until that inferiority was abolished. Then she became a drum major for her new found ability! Her new love of reading, and herself!

[picofjamesandjohn] But why do I mention that story? Well, I feel it important because we need to understand that we are all the same! That young girl is no different from me, or you, or anyone we meet. And we are all no different from James and John.

Think about it. Who among us, if we were so blessed to be called to walk with Jesus at that time, wouldn’t try to seek out ways to be recognized? Who among us wouldn’t want to be thought to be so close to the Messiah that we too could be on His right and left?

[picofjamesandjohn] But why do I mention that story? Well, I feel it important because we need to understand that we are all the same! That young girl is no different from me, or you, or anyone we meet. And we are all no different from James and John.

Think about it. Who among us, if we were so blessed to be called to walk with Jesus at that time, wouldn’t try to seek out ways to be recognized? Who among us wouldn’t want to be thought to be so close to the Messiah that we too could be on His right and left?

We all would. And I know that because I can see. I can see how we strain to have cars that people like, and jobs that earn us respect. Houses that show that we have made it! We constantly strain to impress the world about everything going on in our lives! From the food we are eating, to the vacation we are taking, we want the world to recognize us. As a great pastor once said, even “Our first cry as a baby was a bid for attention.”

And honestly, we never stop crying out for attention all through our lives.

We all would. And I know that because I can see. I can see how we strain to have cars that people like, and jobs that earn us respect. Houses that show that we have made it! We constantly strain to impress the world about everything going on in our lives! From the food we are eating, to the vacation we are taking, we want the world to recognize us. As a great pastor once said, even “Our first cry as a baby was a bid for attention.”

And honestly, we never stop crying out for attention all through our lives.

Even in our faith, we cry out for that same attention - for that same notoriety! And trust me, when I say we, I could just as easily say me! We all do it! From the oldest to the youngest believer! We all want to be understood and thought well of for everything we do, even our faith!

Mark 10:37 ESV

And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

These men are no different. So we cannot, like the other disciples, begin to find fault in their request, because if not for their asking, we would want to ask the same thing! And honestly, we can’t let ourselves get distracted by that impulse! Because if we are distracted by our feigning disgust, we will miss out on the real lesson here!

That lesson, is one that can be learned by understanding this drum major instinct. You see, we need to identify with James and John because they are showing us some good use, if not just a little misguided, to this instinct. This desire to be thought well of. But there is the other side isn’t there? The bad side of the coin if you will. So what happens when this instinct goes wrong?

These men are no different. So we cannot, like the other disciples, begin to find fault in their request, because if not for their asking, we would want to ask the same thing! And honestly, we can’t let ourselves get distracted by that impulse! Because if we are distracted by our feigning disgust, we will miss out on the real lesson here!

Take our little girl from earlier. What if no one stepped in and fed the positive side of this instinct? What if no one ever relieved her soul of the inferiority that caused her, as it does us all, to fear trying, and to give up easily? Just what happens to people who become consumed with the negative side of this impulse?

That lesson, is one that can be learned by understanding this drum major instinct. You see, we need to identify with James and John because they are showing us some good use, if not just a little misguided, to this instinct. This desire to be thought well of. But there is the other side isn’t there? The bad side of the coin if you will. So what happens when this instinct goes wrong?

For Adler, it was noted that this type of environment would lead to a distortion of personality. And that is seen clearly, even, in our own experience! We all know someone who wasn’t relieved of that inferiority in some way - whether through parents or teachers, or even Jesus! And we see the person they could have been, and the person they are.

Take our little girl from earlier. What if no one stepped in and fed the positive side of this instinct? What if no one ever relieved her soul of the inferiority that caused her, as it does us all, to fear trying, and to give up easily? Just what happens to people who become consumed with the negative side of this impulse?

For Adler, it was noted that this type of environment would lead to a distortion of personality. And that is seen clearly, even, in our own experience! We all know someone who wasn’t relieved of that inferiority in some way - whether through parents or teachers, or even Jesus! And we see the person they could have been, and the person they are.

But there but for the grace of God go us all.

[boasting] No, if we don’t harness this impulse, we will find that we will live out the most negative aspects of it. We will become boastful. Unwilling to listen to others. Unwilling to see things from their perspective. We lie. We cover up. We begin to seek out ways to draw attention to ourselves. We claim causes that we think will cause a stir. We act as if truth is now supposed to be offensive to others, when in actuality, we are only seeking to grant our opinion some weight that it can’t have on its own, and to cause others to feel the same inferiority that we feel.

But there but for the grace of God go us all.

[boasting] No, if we don’t harness this impulse, we will find that we will live out the most negative aspects of it. We will become boastful. Unwilling to listen to others. Unwilling to see things from their perspective. We lie. We cover up. We begin to seek out ways to draw attention to ourselves. We claim causes that we think will cause a stir. We act as if truth is now supposed to be offensive to others, when in actuality, we are only seeking to grant our opinion some weight that it can’t have on its own, and to cause others to feel the same inferiority that we feel.

We push people down. We act as if thinking differently from us, or looking differently, or having a different opinion, is somehow reason to drag others down in a vain attempt to show them that they never belonged at the front of the band! We are the drum majors! WE ARE IN CHARGE! WE ARE SOMEHOW MAGICALLY BETTER THAN OTHERS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE EXIST!

And in light of that impulse, we distort our personality. We will lie. We will obfuscate. We will cover up. We attack character and intent, never being bold enough to listen and speak life into those people who deserve and need it.

We push people down. We act as if thinking differently from us, or looking differently, or having a different opinion, is somehow reason to drag others down in a vain attempt to show them that they never belonged at the front of the band! We are the drum majors! WE ARE IN CHARGE! WE ARE SOMEHOW MAGICALLY BETTER THAN OTHERS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE EXIST!

[picofsomeonegettingreadyforadate] After all, why would we? We are awfully busy getting our resume for Jesus ready. If we are going to sit at His right and left, we better look the part! People tell us that if you vote this way you are Christian. If you have this much money you are a Christian. If you sing these songs you are Christian. If you hold this social view you are a Christian.

And in light of that impulse, we distort our personality. We will lie. We will obfuscate. We will cover up. We attack character and intent, never being bold enough to listen and speak life into those people who deserve and need it.

Rule after rule, we mount on ourselves all these requirements! So many, in fact, that we eventually realize that we could never fulfill them all! So what do we do? I mean, we stil want to sit at the right and left! We are still going to be the drum major!

[picofsomeonegettingreadyforadate] After all, why would we? We are awfully busy getting our resume for Jesus ready. If we are going to sit at His right and left, we better look the part! People tell us that if you vote this way you are Christian. If you have this much money you are a Christian. If you sing these songs you are Christian. If you hold this social view you are a Christian.

So we put them down. We take a page out of the Pharisee’s play book, and load EVERYONE ELSE with a burden they could never bear. We seek out differences. We point out inferiority. We even claim superiority in things! Everything from faith, to jobs, to countries, to political parties, and to skin color. We push the world around us down just so that we can see our Christ!

Rule after rule, we mount on ourselves all these requirements! So many, in fact, that we eventually realize that we could never fulfill them all! So what do we do? I mean, we stil want to sit at the right and left! We are still going to be the drum major!

So we put them down. We take a page out of the Pharisee’s play book, and load EVERYONE ELSE with a burden they could never bear. We seek out differences. We point out inferiority. We even claim superiority in things! Everything from faith, to jobs, to countries, to political parties, and to skin color. We push the world around us down just so that we can see our Christ!

But church, Jesus won’t know us because we look better than everyone else in our own minds. Even if we somehow succeeded and actually made the rest of the world less palatable to our Savior - which we could never do - we still wouldn’t be seen.

Matthew 7:15–20 ESV

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

You will know them, and He will know us, by our fruits. By what we think. By what we say. By what we do.

Church, what you do for others. How you view them. How considerate you are of them. How much you lift them up. How willing you are to fall in line behind them to help them through whatever they are going through in life. That is the mark of a believer. That is what we ought to be known for.

You will know them, and He will know us, by our fruits. By what we think. By what we say. By what we do.

Church, what you do for others. How you view them. How considerate you are of them. How much you lift them up. How willing you are to fall in line behind them to help them through whatever they are going through in life. That is the mark of a believer. That is what we ought to be known for.

Not for our great influence. Not for our great power as a nation. Not for our ability to obliterate whole nations with the push of a button. Not for insistence on being the best, or having the best things, or getting the better end of every deal! After all, I seem to recall a God who took the raw end of the deal when He offered life for this world!

But it isn’t too late. No, it’s never too late to do the right thing! And I know that not only by Jesus generally, but even by His words in our text today!

Mark 10:43–45 ESV

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

You see, Jesus doesn’t call them down in this moment. He doesn’t belittle them, and make them feel inferior. He doesn’t squash that instinct that lives in us all - that drum major instinct. No, Jesus speaks into that desire life. He models for us not only the way to be ourselves, but the method by which we help the world get there!

This moment is one in which Jesus calls us to be the example. Serve others! Don’t get served. Don’t want to be praised. Don’t try to win. Don’t try to be right. Don’t get the last word in. Don’t act as if you are owed anything in this life! SERVE! BE THE EXAMPLE!

You see, Jesus doesn’t call them down in this moment. He doesn’t belittle them, and make them feel inferior. He doesn’t squash that instinct that lives in us all - that drum major instinct. No, Jesus speaks into that desire life. He models for us not only the way to be ourselves, but the method by which we help the world get there!

Church, understand that Jesus could have very well put them in their place, but instead, he turned around their desire to be first, and to be thought well of, and gave them a new target! And not just them, but us as well!

This moment is one in which Jesus calls us to be the example. Serve others! Don’t get served. Don’t want to be praised. Don’t try to win. Don’t try to be right. Don’t get the last word in. Don’t act as if you are owed anything in this life! SERVE! BE THE EXAMPLE!

[] Church, Jesus didn’t tell them not to be great. He didn’t tell them to stop wanting to be great. No, He wants them - and us as well - to be great! God’s word tells us that time and time again! “The nations will see your vindication and ALL kings your glory; you will be called by a new name,” Isaiah says, one “that the mouth of the Lord will bestow!” You are a crown a splendor in God’s hand.

Church, understand that Jesus could have very well put them in their place, but instead, he turned around their desire to be first, and to be thought well of, and gave them a new target! And not just them, but us as well!

Isaiah 62:1–5 ESV

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

Church, Jesus didn’t tell them not to be great. He didn’t tell them to stop wanting to be great. No, He wants them - and us as well - to be great! God’s word tells us that time and time again! “The nations will see your vindication and ALL kings your glory; you will be called by a new name,” Isaiah says, one “that the mouth of the Lord will bestow!” You are a crown a splendor in God’s hand.

[] Church, Jesus didn’t tell them not to be great. He didn’t tell them to stop wanting to be great. No, He wants them - and us as well - to be great! God’s word tells us that time and time again! “The nations will see your vindication and ALL kings your glory; you will be called by a new name,” Isaiah says, one “that the mouth of the Lord will bestow!” You are a crown a splendor in God’s hand.

Church, make no mistake, God wants us all to be great, but we can never be great by putting others down! We can only be great through service! We can only truly be great, by lifting others up! We can only truly lead by following God to those who most need Him, and then lifting them high enough to not only see Jesus, but to be seen as great by those around them.

[] Church, Jesus didn’t tell them not to be great. He didn’t tell them to stop wanting to be great. No, He wants them - and us as well - to be great! God’s word tells us that time and time again! “The nations will see your vindication and ALL kings your glory; you will be called by a new name,” Isaiah says, one “that the mouth of the Lord will bestow!” You are a crown a splendor in God’s hand.

Church, make no mistake, God wants us all to be great, but we can never be great by putting others down! We can only be great through service! We can only truly be great, by lifting others up! We can only truly lead by following God to those who most need Him, and then lifting them high enough to not only see Jesus, but to be seen as great by those around them.

If you want to be great, you must serve. You must be the slave of all. Not the leader! Not the one in charge! Not the one calling the shots! No if you want to sit at the right and left of Christ, then you must stop lifting up yourself and start lifting up others!

That is our call and example.

If you want to be great, you must serve. You must be the slave of all. Not the leader! Not the one in charge! Not the one calling the shots! No if you want to sit at the right and left of Christ, then you must stop lifting up yourself and start lifting up others!

[pichere] That is our call and example.

There was a man who lived who did his best to show that - to be the example. He was born in a tiny little town, west of nowhere. And He spent His life serving. He spent most of His adult life working trades, but toward the end, He was an itinerant preacher. He never really had much in life. Didn’t go to school. Didn’t write any books. Didn’t even have a home! In fact, He never even traveled more than 200 miles from home. He did nothing that we would associate with greatness - other than just be Himself.

“He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against him. They called him a rabble-rouser. They called him a troublemaker. They said he was an agitator. He practiced civil disobedience; he broke injunctions. And so he was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. And the irony of it all is that his friends turned him over to them. One of his closest friends denied him. Another of his friends turned him over to his enemies. And while he was dying, the people who killed him gambled for his clothing, the only possession that he had in the world. When he was dead he was buried in a borrowed tomb, through the pity of a friend.

[Twenty] centuries have come and gone and today he stands as the most influential figure that ever entered human history. All of the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned put together have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one solitary life. His name may be a familiar one [to you].”

“He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against him. They called him a rabble-rouser. They called him a troublemaker. They said he was an agitator. He practiced civil disobedience; he broke injunctions. And so he was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. And the irony of it all is that his friends turned him over to them. One of his closest friends denied him. Another of his friends turned him over to his enemies. And while he was dying, the people who killed him gambled for his clothing, the only possession that he had in the world. When he was dead he was buried in a borrowed tomb, through the pity of a friend.

It is the name that we all talk about. The one we claim to follow. This one we claim as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. We call on His name, and listen to music about Him in our cars, but sometimes He doesn’t even come in 3rd place to our favorite news channels and personalities.

[Twenty] centuries have come and gone and today he stands as the most influential figure that ever entered human history. All of the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned put together have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one solitary life. His name may be a familiar one [to you].”

It is the name that we all talk about. The one we claim to follow. This one we claim as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. We call on His name, and listen to music about Him in our cars, but sometimes He doesn’t even come in 3rd place to our favorite news channels and personalities.

This Emmanuel - God with us. We claim Him as our Healer, our Messiah, our friend. He is the shining example for us and the world! This man who didn't have anything. He just went around serving and doing good.

“This morning, [we] can [all] be on his right hand and his left hand if [we] serve. It's the only way in.”

This Emmanuel - God with us. We claim Him as our Healer, our Messiah, our friend. He is the shining example for us and the world! This man who didn't have anything. He just went around serving and doing good.

[picofMLKdrummajor] So today, we must decide whether or not we are going to follow His example. We must decide that we won’t be known for all that we have accomplished. That we will not hang on our education, or station in life. That our heritage is counted as trash before the crown of heritage that is to be worn as a follower of Christ! ALL OF OUR STRENGTHS, ALL OF OUR ABILITY, ALL OF OUR ENTIRE BEING - ALL THAT WE THINK THAT BRINGS US TO THE FRONT OF THE PARADE! WE MUST LAY IT ALL DOWN BEFORE OUR GOD! WE CAN’T FOLLOW HIM BY LEADING! WE CAN’T BE KNOWN FOR WHAT WE THINK AND WHAT WE WANT! IF WE ARE TO BE A DRUM MAJOR, LET US ALL BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE! LET US BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR PEACE! LET US BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR THE HUNGRY, THE FEARFUL, THE OPPRESSED, THE WIDOW, THE ORPHAN, THE FOREIGNER, THE HURTING! LET US BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND A DRUM MAJOR FOR THE LOVE OF ALL HUMANITY! BECAUSE CHURCH, IF WE CAN BE KNOWN FOR ALL OF THAT, WE CAN MAKE CHRIST KNOWN TO THIS WORLD, AND IN SO DOING, WE CAN BRING THEM ALONG WITH IS - BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES US ALL BY!

“This morning, [we] can [all] be on his right hand and his left hand if [we] serve. It's the only way in.”

If you want to follow Christ, then you must square yourself with the fact that nothing in this life matters more than service. Service to God. Service to humanity. Lifting others up. Serving all mankind, hoping only to model Christ to this world.

[picofMLKdrummajor] So today, we must decide whether or not we are going to follow His example. We must decide that we won’t be known for all that we have accomplished. That we will not hang on our education, or station in life. That our heritage is counted as trash before the crown of heritage that is to be worn as a follower of Christ! ALL OF OUR STRENGTHS, ALL OF OUR ABILITY, ALL OF OUR ENTIRE BEING - ALL THAT WE THINK THAT BRINGS US TO THE FRONT OF THE PARADE! WE MUST LAY IT ALL DOWN BEFORE OUR GOD! WE CAN’T FOLLOW HIM BY LEADING! WE CAN’T BE KNOWN FOR WHAT WE THINK AND WHAT WE WANT! IF WE ARE TO BE A DRUM MAJOR, LET US ALL BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE! LET US BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR PEACE! LET US BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR THE HUNGRY, THE FEARFUL, THE OPPRESSED, THE WIDOW, THE ORPHAN, THE FOREIGNER, THE HURTING! LET US BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND A DRUM MAJOR FOR THE LOVE OF ALL HUMANITY! BECAUSE CHURCH, IF WE CAN BE KNOWN FOR ALL OF THAT, WE CAN MAKE CHRIST KNOWN TO THIS WORLD, AND IN SO DOING, WE CAN BRING THEM ALONG WITH IS - BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES US ALL BY!

Everything else doesn’t matter. You think you are leaving behind money. You think you are leaving behind heritage. You think you are leaving behind a legacy of success. But that isn’t all that there is. And if it is, then you doom those that follow you to miss the parade altogether.

If you want to follow Christ, then you must square yourself with the fact that nothing in this life matters more than service. Service to God. Service to humanity. Lifting others up. Serving all mankind, hoping only to model Christ to this world.

No, those shallow things: money, success, tradition, they don’t matter. What matters is that we leave behind us a committed life. Not committed to self, but to the service of others. To the love of God and humanity. To selfless acts where we win by losing.

Everything else doesn’t matter. You think you are leaving behind money. You think you are leaving behind heritage. You think you are leaving behind a legacy of success. But that isn’t all that there is. And if it is, then you doom those that follow you to miss the parade altogether.

[picofJOY-jesus,others,you]

No, those shallow things: money, success, tradition, they don’t matter. What matters is that we leave behind us a committed life. Not committed to self, but to the service of others. To the love of God and humanity. To selfless acts where we win by losing.

Jesus, others, then you. That is how we bring joy to Christ and live out this great new call for us all. Jesus first. Others second. Yourself last. That is how we sit at His right and left. And that is the call of those who claim Jesus. That is the song His drum majors lead. A love song for all of creation.

[picofJOY-jesus,others,you]

[Invitation]

Jesus, others, then you. That is how we bring joy to Christ and live out this great new call for us all. Jesus first. Others second. Yourself last. That is how we sit at His right and left. And that is the call of those who claim Jesus. That is the song His drum majors lead. A love song for all of creation.

[Invitation]