Things we have built into habits, we can easily do again, but things we rarely do, we may struggle to even remember how they're done. If we build a discipline of studying, internalizing, and applying Scripture, we will have solid ground to stand on when faced with difficulty. After all, God's words gave Joshua the confidence to lead a nation, and Paul the confidence to preach even after being tortured and jailed. Similarly, we can persevere through the toughest of situations and the greatest of doubts, if in these times we fall back on Scripture, which recounts many who have faced similar situations, and where God offers wisdom on many things.

We often seek personal ambition and greatness, but Jesus teaches a different path—one where true greatness is revealed through serving others. In Mark 9:30-37, when the disciples argue about who is the greatest, Jesus teaches them that greatness lies in humble servanthood. Using a child as an example, he shows that welcoming and serving the powerless is like welcoming him. Through this, Jesus calls us to reflect his humility and love, showing us that true honor comes from uplifting the lowly and serving others.

In our spiritual development, whether seasoned believer or curious seeker, a part of our discipleship process involves some changes, namely in the area of our priorities. As societies and people have changed over time, so too have our priorities and their associated concerns. Nevertheless, we habitually continue to structure and revolve our lives around the “main thing,” so to speak. It is seemingly a natural course of action to focus on our priorities, but as we grow in our faith, we might find that our priories are not necessarily the priories of the father. As we deepen in spiritual maturity, we learn that how Jesus modeled discipleship in his obedience to the father is the same calling for us in the present: called to grow concern for God’s concerns, and to lay our own at the foot of the cross.