PODCAST

Beyond Your Preferences

June 4th, 2023

Philippians 2:1-11

Babies are born into this world singing one song: ME! I’m hungry, I’m sleepy, Pick me up! As they grow, they learn to think of others, but life is still pretty much what they prefer. They color the pizza orange, because orange is their favorite color. Their choices reflect their preferences.

Grown-ups have their preferences, too. They have their favorite chair, a certain way they drink their coffee, and their preferred brand of laundry soap. Preferences are fine, but when they cease being personal and shift into expectations imposed on others, problems often arise.

I once heard a pastor talk about the importance of leading beyond our preferences. I think it would be safe to substitute the word “love” for “lead.” When our list of favorites gets in the way of reflecting Christ, they are favorites need to be set aside. How we accomplish the goal of showing God’s love isn’t important. Loving God and others is what is important. When we love beyond our preferences, the kingdom grows and the Father is glorified.

Author: Andrea Talley