Do You Always Want Your Way?

Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 17
NT: 1 Corinthians 15
W&W: Psalm 101

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 18
NT: 1 Corinthians 16
W&W: Psalm 102

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 19-20
NT: 2 Corinthians 1
W&W: Psalm 103

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 21-22
NT: 2 Corinthians 2
W&W: Psalm 104.1-23

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 23-24
NT: 2 Corinthians 3
W&W: Psalm 104.24-35

Today’s Reflection:

In 1 Corinthians 16, we get a glimpse into the interactions between New Testament leaders. Paul makes the statement, “Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity” (v. 12).

It is apparent that Paul and Apollos disagreed about when Apollos should go to Corinth. It seems possible – from the tone – that they may have disagreed even about whether or not Apollos needed to go at all. Paul thought that Apollos should go now. Apollos felt that now was not the time. Neither of them changed their mind – by evidence of what Paul wrote and by what Apollos did (actually what he didn’t do – go!).

These followers of Jesus Christ agreed to disagree. And, they were agreeable bout it! Both of them refused to make a “heaven or hell issue” out of it. They each had their opinion. They doubtless felt they had good reasons for their opinions as they kept their opinions. But, they extended grace to one another.

I found it interesting that - though Paul was the “ranking” leader – Apollos’ decision won the day. I wonder how many leaders are strong enough in their own egos to allow a subordinate to set a course different from what the leader thinks.

I entitled this post as “Do You Always Want Your Way?” Obviously, the answer to that question is “Yes! Of course I want my way. If I wanted something else, that would be my way!” The more important question to answer is this: “Must I always have my way?” Paul was willing to lay aside rights and privileges and power and authority in order to allow an emerging leader develop. May God give us in leadership grace like that!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Let’s put together that great passage in Matthew we’ve been working on all month. Matthew 7.7-12: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.