King of the Tractor Tire
When I was a kid, we played King of the Mountain.
Actually, it was King of the Tractor Tire.
The playground didn’t have any mountains—but it did have some big tractor tires stuffed in the ground for us to play on.
The goal of the game: become “King” by shoving everyone else off the tire.
When you knocked all your competitors down, you became King of the Tractor Tire.
One day, Jesus’ disciples were playing King of the Tractor Tire…
“His disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.” (Luke 9.46 NLT)
When you’re arguing that you are the greatest, you “win” the argument by shoving others down.
Just as one of the disciples was about to shove his last competitor off the tire, Jesus interrupts.
“He brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.’” (Luke 9.47, 48 NLT)
What was Jesus saying?
—You don’t become great by exerting strength over people; you become great by humbling yourself and building others up.
—Instead of trying to be the best shover of people, be the best lifter of people.
—Don’t knock people down. Give them a hand and lift them up.
—Get down off your tractor tire superiority complex.
—Welcome and help the “little” guy.
I am a husband, father, pastor, leader & reader. I love God, love people & love life.
Funny, I wrote a bog called ‘Confidence vs. Ego.’ I was extremely frustrated with an ego that was/is trying to dominate my life (not mine). It was probably my most inspired blog ever. My favorite line was:
“Confidence boosts people up on it’s shoulders. Ego pushes people down and stands on their shoulders.”
Your, King of the Tractor Tire, reference reminded me of that line.
Great blog!
Robb