do you ever forget…
forget the reasons why you’re actually here
that you were created for a purpose much greater than yourself
so much so that you will never find satisfaction while only being self-serving
do you ever get so caught up in the mess of your own heart
that you forget to look around at the brokenness of others’
have you ever forgotten that some of the greatest healing comes
when you realize that you’re not alone in your struggles—
but you only find that out when you stop long enough to ask those around you
someone once told me that they felt alive while doing missions
because for the first time in their lives
they were not so focused on themselves;
that serving others
actually
served themselves
have you ever forgotten
it’s okay if you answered ‘yes’
because if I’m honest
so did i
i’ve been so busy looking in
that i’ve forgotten to look out
so consumed with my mess
that i haven’t given attention to the hearts around me
so busy trying to fix my own brokenness
that i’ve forgotten other’s might need someone
to walk with through theirs
so busy trying to hear God’s voice
that i’ve neglected to ask other’s about what God is saying to them
…
it’s really no wonder that i still feel alone sometimes
even after months of being with the same people
day in and day out
because i’ve been so consumed with me
then, without fail, comes the still small voice
the one that gently reminds me:
‘even the son of man came not to be served
but to serve & give his life as a ransom for many’
“look up and look out”, He says,
“find genuine connection in the stories of others;
be more concerned about your brothers and sisters than yourself
i promise in this place
[once you get outside of yourself]
you will find what you are looking for.”
