When given the choice, we will choose the bigger biscuit.

Tonight, made-from-scratch crescent rolls lay tantalizingly on the table while we thanked God for our food. After rushed prayers from the kids, I served it up, careful to save the biggest roll for myself as I filled everyone else’s plate.

Later when Jackson and Lauren had eaten the bare minimum noodles to get another crescent, I looked over what was left and reached to give them each another small roll. Suddenly I felt guilty, knowing that I had been staking out the most plump ones for myself instead of sharing the best with them.

So, instead, I offered the whole plate to my three-year-old first, allowing her to choose which she wanted.

Sure enough, she chose the largest crescent.

Jackson was next, and he followed suit, studying the plate until he was sure he was picking the best of the bunch.

It is so much easier to take the biggest and best for ourselves, rather than offering it to someone else. Our human tendency is to place ourselves first, and others next if we are satisfied and leftovers are still available.

That’s why God’s call to love Him with abandon and to love others as ourselves grates on our agendas. God’s way requires us to submit our way to Him. He asks us to give sacrificially, to forgive regardless of it being requested, to set aside our preferences, and to follow God wherever and however He leads. Jesus didn’t demand earthly glory, possessions and position that would reflect His rightful stature as King of Kings. He humbled Himself and was obedient, even to death on a cross. He gave me, He gave you, His very best. He kept none for Himself.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

– Ephesians 2:20

Jesus lives in me. It is only through His transforming power that my selfishness can be replaced with humility. When my heart becomes His heart, my desire will be to show God’s love to others, no matter the cost, or the size of the crescent roll.