In Exodus 10:8 the people were begging to be given permission to leave Egypt, but the king was reluctant to lose them. but, finally, "The king had Moses and Aaron brought back, and he said, "All right,you may go and worship the Lord your God, but first tell me who will be going."
"All right, but first.....
I'll obey, but.....
I agree, but...and my favorite, "Yeah, but.....
"Control. there are many ways we express control. An objection, clarification, negation--any or all might come after the words, "But first....." or words like it. We may have a fair mind, we maybe capable of good decisions, but some decisions aren't up to us. We may be getting better at keeping quiet but often we till hear ourselves saying, "O.K., but....."
"Things may not come up to our expectations and we can't seem to keep still! But, who said we have any right to our expectations? We might just as well say, "You're wrong, wrong, wrong!" And that would really be wrong, unkind, and very stupid.
"Team work is the best way. That's what Jesus taught. Do I think for a moment that Peter and Paul would have gotten along on Paul's mission trips? No, I don't think so. That would have been...well, never mind. Barnabas and Paul didn't always have their expectations met. And their lives were changed, each of them in their own way, for the better.
"Lord, Help us to recognize that our way may not be the best way. Help those who work together to stifle their wish to say, "But first...." And concede quietly to Your way. Amen."
Christ knows best,
Jo INMN
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