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| February 26, 2010 | |||||
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It's Not About Me - Part IV This is the last blog that I will write during the month of February and the final "It's Not About Me" article. I have really enjoyed working with Sandy (my sister-in-law) on this project and want to thank her for her contribution. We also pray that it has been a blessing to you. Okay, let's move along to Part IV of "It's Not About Me". So thus far, the discussion has been about our relationships with family - especially our spouse. This blog is going to be more about relationships outside the family realm. Do you believe that God brings people into your life for a reason? If so, do you take that into consideration when you meet someone new or interact with other people? Obviously, I believe God does this, but so often I take these opportunities for granted. I just go through life without even thinking about why that person is part of my life or why God wanted me to meet someone new. How about you? Do you ever stop to think about it? Do you ever consider the following verse? "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2 - NIV) I have to admit that I usually don't. It hardly ever crosses my mind. You may be asking, "But what does this have to do with our topic?" Well, I've just been thinking that maybe the reason I never consider these things is because I'm too busy thinking about myself and what I have to do or where I have to go. When I stop to realize that it's not about me, then I slow down long enough to really appreciate the people that God brings into my life. I understand that some of these people we may never see for the rest of our lives, but our attitude towards them could actually mean something to them. We have no way of knowing what's going on in their life and we also don't know how we will impact them. Could it possibly be that God crosses our paths with other people to give us an opportunity to serve them or encourage them? We may do something as simple as let them go first in the check-out line or open the door for them or even smile. That may be the little boost that they need to get them through another day. I know it may sound trivial, but think about it this way just for a moment. Have you ever had a day when nothing seemed to go right and you were really down on yourself or others? What happened when you had to get out of the house and go somewhere? If everyone you passed along the way looked angry, sad, or only spoke to you in a negative tone, did that help lift your spirits? Of course not! If, on the other hand, you passed a few people who smiled at you, opened the door for you, or spoke to you in a positive way, did that give you a little boost? Those people, whether they realized it or not, were putting others first. They were actually being unselfish. When we actually put forth the effort to "consider others better than" ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5), then it becomes easier to encourage others and become less selfish. What we do today could effect what someone else does tomorrow. I'm sure you've heard the story about the teenager who felt all alone and was thinking about ending his own life. In that story, one person took the time to notice him and be nice to him. Because of that one person, he did not commit suicide and actually graduated from high school so he could go on to help others. All it took for him to change his mind and his life was to have one person take the time to notice him and be nice to him. Will you and I be that one person? We may never know, but it is a guarantee that if we never notice others and take time to be nice to others then we will NOT help anyone! This includes strangers, co-workers, friends, and neighbors. It includes people who are already smiling, those who have no expression, and those with any kind of expression in between. I truly believe that God even lets us meet people who make us feel uncomfortable because we need to look at them through His eyes. We need to quit thinking about how they make me feel and consider how I make them feel when I stand there with a judgmental look on my face instead of a kind face and a helpful hand. We never know what God can do with that person or what our attitude toward them can do to them. It could be the difference between them changing their minds (and lives) and between them ending their lives - physically or spiritually. Let's take the time to stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others! The following is a quote that Sandy found the other day and asked me to share with you: "Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched in stone, for stone can be broken. But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever. " I don't know who wrote this (maybe someone can tell me), but it is true. You can express yourself on paper or stone, but those things can be destroyed. The only real way to make love last is by touching the heart of someone else. When you truly love others, you will forget about yourself and understand that "it's not about me". It's about God. It's about family. It's about the church. It's about friends. It's about strangers. It's about others and, as I said in Part I of these blogs, it's about choices. Learning to "consider others better than" ourselves will show them that we truly love them. Putting God first, will help us love others. Let's continue on this selfless journey and let God fill our lives with more and more of His love so we can have an attitude that is "the same as that of Christ Jesus." "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:3-5 - NIV) |
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Sonny
Childs P.O. Box 131 Paragould, AR 72451 |
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