Usually when inmates stage an uprising, it is because they either want to get out or want better treatment. However, 20 convicts in an Australian prison recently revolted over a pretty trivial request. For 42 hours, they held one jailer captive until the prison officials gave in to their demand: 15 pizzas. I’m hoping it wasn’t the frozen variety!

How often do we make a big deal out of things that, in the end, are just as trivial? We major on the minors and minor on the majors. In all of our relationships, we have to learn to give a little, otherwise we’ll find it difficult to get along with just about anybody.

That’s not to say we should always let people roll over us—but we’d better make sure that when we do stand up, we’re standing up for something that’s important, not just a personal preference or to avoid a temporary inconvenience.

Jesus calls us to sacrifice, and sometimes that means giving up something we want for the sake of others. This spirit of humility is a testimony to the world that doesn’t know Jesus. It’s a light to those who are searching for meaning.

So let’s not be like those 20 convicts in Australia. Let’s make sure we don’t obsess over the little things and ignore what’s important: our relationships.