Greatest Award. Day 3/40

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
The Greatest Award | DAY 3 of 40 (LENT)

Hollywood Blvd is closed. Red carpets are rolling out. Festivities are cranking up.

That means one thing: It’s Academy Awards weekend in La La Land.

Many of you have joined me on this 40 Day journey of devotions through Lent season, a time of reflection, fasting and prayer, and you may be wondering: What in the world does the Academy Awards have to do with Lent?

I promise that we’ll return to the Testings in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) on Monday. I have way too much honor and respect for God’s Word than to try to force a particular scripture on top of an example if it doesn’t fit. And this is that case.

So, let me share a thought that does fit.

When Jesus’ disciples argued about being “great”, He dropped the most disturbing paradox ever:
The one who is the greatest is the one who serves.
WHAT???!!!!!

Seriously, I’m not making this up. Read it here:
LUKE 22:24-27

The entire crew is at the Last Supper, no doubt, and Jesus is about to be arrested and crucified, and these jokers are arguing about which one of them is THE GREATEST!

Never mind that Jesus is in the room. Did no one think, “Jesus is the Son of God. Of course, He would be the greatest, seeing as He is God and all”? Nope! They argue amongst themselves, and Jesus has to jump in with, “The greatest is the one who serves.” And just so they all know what that looks like, He points out that HE is the greatest and HE has come to serve. Whoa!

Jesus’ messages are often times the exact opposite of what we experience on a daily basis, particularly in America and especially in Hollywood.

I can guarantee you that as my fellow artists sashay and swagger down the red carpet on Sunday, no one will be asking how they serve others, how they give of themselves. We will celebrate their professional accomplishments, and rightly so, but it will be a parade of ‘greatness’ by our standards, not necessarily God’s. Does that make sense?

I am truly challenged by this scripture.
How does my own life have to change?
How can I serve?
Some things to ponder and pray about!

What do you think?
What has been your greatest award? When you were winning something? Or when you were serving someone?

PRAYER:
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s spend some time confessing our wrongs and asking for forgiveness
2) Complete honesty & transparency – Let’s talk to God about what’s on our hearts and minds, concerns, praises. Let the guard down.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet ourselves and listen to God’s Spirit concerning what we have shared with Him, what we read in the scripture, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, government, etc.

About Naima Lett

Naima loves helping folks find their purpose and follow their dreams while deepening their faith. Often called The Hollywood Christian, she believes everyone should find a reason to dance daily, enjoy the 80 degrees and a breeze of the LaLa at least once, and have her Grandmother's bread pudding or sweet potato pie on holidays. Both are divine! :=) -- Dr. Naima Lett, Author: Confessions of a Hollywood Christian, CoPastor: Hope in the Hills, Beverly Hills

6 thoughts on “Greatest Award. Day 3/40”

  1. i used to think there was a middle ground like GOd only cared about big stuff but every little attitude i have thats not surrendered to Him is the opposite of what He wants. I like business and hair so focusing and using my gift for ME is the opposite of what HE wants if what I do doesnt make Him the focus i can just forget it. This is so true what you wrote. Let’s make GOD famous.

  3. Naima,

    I am glad that you are doing this. I can see this ministering to people – elevating them AND you. You have tapped into something important. I will pray for you and this ministry.

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