Sibling Rivalry

"Mom always did like you best!"  Tommy Smothers

From the beginning of time there has been one thing that seems to be a constant, it seems to never change.

Sibling rivalry.

There seems to be this mentality of who is the greatest, most popular, or most important?  

There are examples in the bible from Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, and even Jesus' own disciples.  (Luke 9:46)

People are often cast aside or quit because of sibling rivalry, all in the guise of favoritism.

Nothing gets resolved because of pride; after all, 'I didn't do anything wrong, it's not my fault they feel this way.'

Or is it?

When I was a kid there were moments of sibling rivalry.  I was the youngest of four children, so there were plenty of opportunities to quarrel.  My mom used to call these moments, 'being too big for your britches!'  Do you know how she handled such situations?  Three words:  "KNOCK IT OFF!"

We did too, because we knew if we didn't, the next thing coming would be the end of a wooden spoon on our fannies!

And just like rivalry never changes, neither does the answer to such rivalries.

Jesus says in Mark 10:44 "And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."

So, the next time I feel my feathers being ruffled by what seems to be the unfairness of life, I will identify the problem of wearing too big of britches.  Then I will roll up my sleeves and get back to work.

    But that's just me!

"O Lord, above all things, make me a blessing to my comrades.  I am not anxious for a place or name, and if Thou canst better use me to this end at the rear than at the front, I shall rejoice.  But let me be a burning shining light to my comrades!"  Samuel Brengle

"Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all."

    Andrew Murray