Ambitions and Agendas

Mark 10:35-45 (Ambition of James and John)

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” The answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Thoughts:  How often do we come to Jesus with our plan? James and John thought they had it all figured out they were coming to Jesus with their "business plan" and they thought it was a really good one. When we do that, God may once in a while say, “Hey good plan.” But more often than not God, who knows and wants good things for us, will kind of laugh and say, “Hey, I have a better idea”. So, we must be ready to give up our plans, no matter how good they sound so that we will be able to accept the greatest gift ever given to us, Jesus. I pray that I will continue to surrender myself to God's plans. Lord help me remove my pride and my agenda to fully receive what you have ready for me. Open my ears and a heart to hear your calling and direction for my life. Pope Benedict has declared this the year of faith. Pray that we can remove all of the obstacles and truly open wide the doors of faith and fully receive the good gifts He has in store for us.