Leviticus 25:4 English Standard Version (ESV) but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.

Yesterday’s offering left of with the flesh crying out “What about me?” Let me be clear about that comment, it was meant for those who are in full time service positions. It was not meant for the layperson.

The issue of a sabbatical is traditionally linked to this passage and is adapted in some form or other to indicate that our full time service providers in the service gifts are subject to burn-out. Tis follow-up is not about judging those issues. Those decisions are handled at a leadership level and not subject to alterations by blog writers.

What is being addressed is the issue of the flesh crying out for attention. It is feeling neglected and the root source of neglect is often found in relationships. Whenever we are hearing this in our self-talk, we should examine the concept of expectations. Some expectation is not being met. It could be nothing more than the neglect of others to show appreciation of effort. Routine is the enemy of appreciation.

Is it that simple? No. Relationships are complicated and nothing is ever just that simple. What should happen is the admission of the feeling and identification of the source of neglect. We feel neglected for a reason and the reason might not even be caused by current relationships. It could have begun in the past where issues cannot be resolved because of deaths and separations. Then we are left with the inability to resolve those issues with that relationship.

We do however have a current relationship with which complete understanding is possible. We can take it to the Lord. There is no issue so slight or trivial which the Lord will not listen and provide truth to set us free from the burdens of unhealthy self-talk.

Matthew 19:30 English Standard Version (ESV) But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Order is an interesting word. It has many uses and we should keep in mind that God is a God of order. Order in that sense eliminates confusion. Here in our opening verse is one of those examples of the upside down examples of how God sees things. It can be confusing to think of this in our own terms and experiences.

This morning the issue of order might best be seen as our Shepherd standing at the gate calling all His sheep to come into the fold. He is the first of many in the family of God but His place is waiting until all of us are in before He enters and shuts the gate. That is the first being last.

Family dynamics being what they are from a human perspective we tend to see ourselves as having come to Christ before others and as such more experienced, more learned, and in some ways better equipped. Once we take on a role within a local gathering there is the tendency of others looking to us for leadership. The responsibilities of shepherding others is an awesome responsibility and serving in that capacity we would naturally want to do our best.

The same can be said of every service gift.

Now think about that service is the same way our Lord is waiting to enter in for the very last of His flock.

Who are you waiting upon? In serving the Lord you serve everyone within your realm of responsibility, from the oldest to youngest, from the strongest to the weakest. You put all of them before yourself.

While we serve everyone else our flesh continues to scream “What about me?”