Being Chosen

And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41-45

One of my favorite Broadway shows is A Chorus Line. I am not a great fan of musical theatre although I have worked on many. But A Chorus Line is a raw, human look at the struggle to be chosen for the chorus of a musical. To be chosen to dance, eight shows a week, unrecognized and pushed physically to the limit. It is extraordinary work, physically exhausting and emotionally challenging. There is no time to be sick, nor weak, and one has to look great and keep in time and in place. At the whim of a director a dancer can get cut. These are the servants of the industry, the ones whose names are never in lights, the ones who make the music and dance for the sheer love of it. They sing, "kiss the day goodbye and point me to tomorrow, we did what we had to do....can't forget, won't regret what I did for love"

The disciples are arguing about who will be chosen first - who is most important. Like children jockeying to me chosen for the team, or dancers and singer waiting for a shot, they were competing with one another, trying to put their best first and show the others flaws. They were brutally human. Jesus tells them that to be first in God's reign we all must set aside our need for glory, get on our knees and strap on a towel. We must set aside our luxurious expectations and offer what we have for others. We must ache with love so much that we would give our all for the marks of the indwelling of God's kingdom - justice and service.

Today I ask God to make me a servant from inside out. May my heart ache for the love of others, may my hands be ready for their care and may my joy be in the love of serving God who loves us more than words can say.