Working with children is a blessing, and whenever we make crafts, we follow a template so they can pattern what they make after it. Our life is like an unfolding craft project--learning how to follow the great Pattern Man, Jesus Christ, so He can bring out the specific pattern of life that is to His glory. We are all called to selfless service, but that takes different forms for each of us based on our unique talents, station in life, calling, and purpose. Two children sitting next to each other, following the same pattern, may use different colors and make the craft in a unique way according to what makes them happy. God gives us the joy of beholding the loveliness of Jesus, yielding the whole heart to Him in true conversion, and letting Him work out the pattern He desires in our lives. Then we will not be seeking the highest place for ourselves, but seeking to be in the center of God's will for us based on who He has created us to be. Let us love and respect one another as Christ uniquely fashions us into His image, and seals us to be a part of one of the twelve tribes described in Revelation 7! I appreciate the lesson from the communion service that Christ longed to impart:
"As they come to this ordinance, the children of God should bring to remembrance the words of the Lord of life and glory: 'Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.' There is in man a disposition to esteem himself more highly than his brother, to work for self, to seek the highest place; and often this results in evil surmisings and bitterness of spirit. The ordinance preceding the Lord's Supper is to clear away these misunderstandings, to bring man out of his selfishness, down from his stilts of self-exaltation, to the humility of heart that will lead him to serve his brother." {The Desire of Ages, page 650, paragraph 4}
Our purest joy springs from the deepest humiliation, for the strongest and noblest characters are built on the foundation of God's love--a love that gladly serves others, realizing how deeply loved we are by Jesus! What a Friend we have in Jesus! May you enjoy this day in His saving, sanctifying presence, letting His selflessness flow through you in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, goodness, faith and temperance, with not one of His traits of the divine nature missing, even as He grows you more into His image moment by moment!