DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself." (John 13:3-4)

Jesus had a supreme knowledge of Who He was. He knew that He had come from God and would shortly be returning to God. It was not a pride thing with Jesus. He simply had a keen awareness of His role in God's great plan of Salvation. He knew that the Father had given all things into His hands.

It was this settled knowledge of Who He was that allowed Himself to take up a towel to wash His disciples' feet – to take the role of a servant. People cannot be servants unless their self-identify is secure. If they don't have that sense of self, they have to keep proving themselves. Anything that would demean them – such as being a servant – must be avoided. This was not an issue with Jesus. He did not have to prove anything. He could even wash His betrayer's feet.

When we look at relationships in our world, we see the games people play to make themselves look better. "One-up-man-ship" is the normal way of life for many people, whether in family, in business, in politics, and sadly, even in church. If I can put someone else down to make me look higher or better, then that is what I must do to protect my self-esteem.

The person who is secure in his own self-image – who understands who he is and why he is here – does not have to play these games. But here's the rub. Our self-esteem or self-awareness cannot come by comparing ourselves with other people. It must come from our position in God.

Knowing that I am accepted by God, that I am a child of God, that God loved me so much that Jesus gave His life for me, and that He has a great plan for my life, helps me know who I truly am. There is no greater calling, so I don't have to put down other people down in order to "look" better. As the Apostle Paul said, "I am what I am by the grace of God" (I Corinthians 15:10).

If God has accepted me in the Beloved, then I need to accept myself as His child because of His great mercy and grace. There is no higher calling. I am what I am in Christ.

Love, Dad