Have you ever practiced these two, shall we say, lesser-practiced spiritual disciplines?
* The discipline of being last… (as in “Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility honor others above yourself.” Philippians 2:3)
and
* The discipline of not getting what you normally get … (as in “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.” Matthew 6:16)
* Psalm 84:10-12 summarizes these two spiritual disciplines well:
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.
* And Jesus, as we would expect, goes right to the bottom line:
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35
