Life is made up of a series of choices. We have the choice to live for ourselves, and our own personal gains and desires. The choice to live for others, constantly seeking others praise and affirmation, that may be from family, friends, or co-workers. Some choose to live for a career, a monetary goal, or a status. Always chasing what's just beyond the horizon, never truly satisfied by what is, instead focusing on the what if. While others may choose to become slackers, hermits, or wanderers. Never really committing to anything, so that they never have the chance to fail, or have to worry about losing something they care about.
Yet in all of these choices isn't there a better way? In pleasing ourselves alone, we often will become lonely and weary. While living only for the sake of those around us, may leave us disappointed, let down, and never truly satisfied. So what does that leave? Are we suppose to live more for ourselves or more for others? Or can we find a way to do both?
By following after Christ and living a life that is truly devoted to His teachings. It would seem that one lives for others, and not themselves. Yet at the same time God loves you and me, just as much as He loves the world. Perhaps it is in the moments when we feel that love, and know the hope He gives us in a world full of darkness, that we are are able to live that out in a way that is better than any love, compassion, or service to others, that we could possibly do through our own will power or desire.
I find it easy to get caught up living for my own desires, or for the affirmation of others. Instead of remembering to be the change, to bring the hope, and to show the love to those I come across on a daily basis. In the same way that Jesus changed me, gave me hope, and loves me without condition. Not because He had to, but because He chose to.
