It’s not about me!
Ponder: Who is the main character in this drama we call life?
Scripture: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 NKJV).
I remember several decades ago when the “me” books came out. They were story books you could purchase for your child and insert his/her name as the main character. That was supposed to build self-esteem. (“Wow, here’s a story that’s all about me!”) Maybe that was good in some ways, but mostly we raised a generation of self-absorbed people!
Even in the church, it’s difficult for some to grasp that “it’s not about me!” In our consumer-driven society, we’re accustomed to other people catering to our whims. After all, if they don’t, we can just take our business elsewhere. I’m sorry to say, that mentality is all too evident in the church!
If you’re ancient, like me, you recall President John F. Kennedy’s line in his inaugural speech: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” What if we apply that to citizens of the Lord’s kingdom (the church)? Rather than focusing on what I want the church to do for me, I ought to be seeking ways to help the church.
We can bemoan the songs being too slow/fast; or, we can praise our God from thankful hearts as we are “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16). We can wish the sermon had been shorter/longer; or, we can “be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). We can think of all the work that others ought to be doing; or, we can accept our own responsibility to be “abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
God’s word teaches us to have a healthy self-esteem. But in the final analysis, it’s not about me! It’s about the Lord, and it’s about serving others to His glory so we can be together with Him eternally.
Don’t ask what the church can do for you. Ask what you can do for the church!
Song: “Oh, the things we may do”
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for acting for our benefit when you sent Jesus to be our savior. Please help us to focus not on what we want others to do for us, but on what we can and should do for Jesus and His church. In His name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)