Several weeks ago, the lesson for the day from Mark talked about the rich young ruler. He seemed to be the model of the positive. He was positive that he had fulfilled the commandments to the letter and done so since he was a child. He seemed certain that he was doing all he could. But there was doubt also ... doubt or arrogance. The young man came to Jesus to ask what he had to do to be saved. Perhaps he was unsure. Or, perhaps, he was so sure that he had done it ALL that he could claim his crown while still here in the flesh.
Jesus saw it differently. Jesus wound up, in the end, talking to the disciples about how hard it is for a rich person to understand the plight of the poor. Marie Antoinette ran into this. Her famous quote was : No Bread? Then let them eat Cake! This quote shows the immense misunderstandings that can happen when your pantry has NEVER been bare.
When we talk about being positive, we have to be very mindful of ourselves. Remember: someone can look at you and say you are Positively Wrong!
Practice being Positive in the best sense of the word. Be the magnet that draws others, in a positive way, to the possibilities that exist for good in this world. Find a way to help one another. You probably won't have to give up everything to do that. But you may have to give up your most prized value: your self-centered nature.
The surprising thing is: real self-value has nothing to do with self at the center!
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