Have it Your Way

People who demand to have it their way is what tends to make the headlines in news. That's unfortunate. Whether it's Dwight Howard demanding to be traded from his basketball team (after recently opting in to the last year of his contract) . . . or politicians refusing to go along with a law that they just can't repeal or defeat (both sides, in all forms of government) . . . the news is filled with people who just can't take "no" for an answer.

I think in this respect Burger King has it wrong. We would do well to hear more stories of people who understand they can't have everything their way. Stories like teachers who keep on giving it their all, day after day, when their benefits and compensation are continually cut. Stories like enlisted soldiers who fight in wars that they don't agree with. Stories like athletes who prepare, train, and play to the best of their ability for teams that they know most likely do not stand a chance of being successful.

I have heard a story of a seminary professor who would always end his letters/responses in a very curious, humble way. He would often receive letters from students who disagreed with him, be it over theological matters or grading issues. He always took the time to explain himself or his stance at length. But he would end his response with the phrase: "But you may be right."

He surely believed in what he was saying. But he was humble enough to realize that he didn't have it all figured out, that he couldn't always have it his way. What an encouragement and challenge. If we dealt with people and issues in our lives in the same way, it could have an incredible impact upon the way we live our lives..