What Can We Learn From Salome?
One of the challenges for all of us is thinking we know best for someone else. There’s a woman in the Bible named Salome who thought she knew best for her sons.
Let’s read her story in Matthew 20:20-24:
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
Who could fault Salome’s motives in wanting the best for her precious boys? Plus, she knew they were brilliant!
She is asking for something seemingly right, yet she doesn’t recognize her heart might be muddied by the idea of her sons’ future status and success. Little does she know what she is asking, as Jesus points out.
Unfortunately, our mixed motives often block our ability to pray for the right thing for the person we love.
Let’s remember Salome so that we can surrender to whatever God decides is best—even if it’s different than we envisioned.
(This is an excerpt from my book, Pure-Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory. More information about Pure-Hearted.)
So very true Ms. Kathy. Often the motives for our prayers have the greatest intentions behind them. I’ve often prayed “God help me to become a better Christian writer, one that will have tremendous impact for your kingdom Lord.” What I’ve come to realize is that in my sincere efforts to respond to His call in my life, I was limiting Him with my selfish prayer. What I should asked is not “make me a better Christian writer Lord” but “make me a better Christian.” As God does this transformational work in my life, I will have a much greater impact in this world for His kingdom than I could ever hope to have by limiting my impact for God to only those few who might one day read my writing. Well said ma’am. Thank you for this gracious lesson.
Oh my, J.D., thank you so much for this very very important insight that applies to all of us no matter what our calling is (and everyone has a calling from God). I always appreciate your vulnerability that encourages all of us to look at our heart’s motive which, as you said, usually seems so well-intentioned but then God gently enlightens our eyes to what’s going on in our heart. I’m so glad He’s gentle and patient with us. Thank you as always for commenting. I love your mini-devotionals! You should be a writer–oh wait, you are! (Sorry, I’ve said that before, haven’t I?) 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts, today, Kathy. Reminds me of words I heard last year before going for alternative cancer treatments in Arizona. One of the elders at the church in Tempe said, “We don’t get to define good.”
God’s good—His plans for us, look different than we would probably choose for ourselves. But they are GOOD. And He is worthy of our trust.
Joy, I’m so grateful for this update and your powerful message of “We don’t get to define good.” How true, how true! Thank the Lord his definition of good is always good–the best! I will continue praying for your healing. You have long inspired me with your trust in God to follow His leading. Thank you!