The “Me First” mentality has always been a part of our thinking; we are born with it. From a very young age, American kids have to be taught to stand in lines and “wait your turn”. We are told to share and to make sure others have what they want first. However, the very adults teaching those principles struggle with the same issues. We just do it under different labels so that it still seems okay.
“I’m exhausted and hungover today, so I’ll just call off work.” *other employees who have to pick up the slack are disregarded.
“I just need to rest and take some time to myself, so I’m going to stay away from my family and friends for a few days.” *serving others is disregarded, and they feel like they are being pushed away.
We so often put ourselves first in situations that we have also figured out the best ways to justify our behavior. “I want my family to have the American Dream, so I’m going to work late every night and try to buy the best things possible for them.” *emotions and relationships are disregarded for the sake of personal achievement.
“Me” is so important, no matter what our outward intentions are, that “God” and “Others” are put to the side regularly. We opt for pleasing our own personal agendas, and rarely work for the glory of God and others.
Jesus has something particular to say to this: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 22:37-40 ESV).
There are three things I want to say about these verses. First, God. Loving him with literally every ounce and fiber of your human form and spirit is the greatest possible thing you can do. Second, the way we feel about loving ourselves and getting our own way, that’s how we should be loving others and putting them first. Third, everything we do should be governed by the first two points, since all the Law and words of the Prophets are summed up in these two rules.
So, next time I get the urge to put my personal preference before God’s direction or the needs of others, I’m going to check my motives. Then I’ll ask God to change my heart. He might just do it.
#GodIsInControl #redefiningdisciple
#THIRD
