others

Where would we be without all the others?  It is the "others" in our world that drive our purpose, facilitate our maturity, and help us cope.  We live in a culture that idolizes self...self-image, self-sufficiency, self-awareness, self-actualization.  Our world is built around each of our "selves".  It's as if everyone of us is at the center of his or her personal world and fulfillment comes as each "self" reaches personal fulfillment.  The ironic truth seems to be that an "other centered" life may actually be more satisfying and more in line with the Lord's best for us, individually.  Jesus left the throneroom of Heaven, where He'd shared the adoration of all the heavenly host with His Father.  He did that so all of us could have the opportunity of also experiencing Heaven.  He wasn't satisfied with allowing the creation He'd fashioned to remain in corruption and so He came for us.  There are countless stories of people laying down their lives so that others could survive.  From the front lines of fierce battles, to the exchange of healthy organs for diseased ones by selfless donors, to the voluntary construction of homes for families needing shelter, to missionaries giving up comfortable lives so that others might find the comforts of salvation...many have discovered that living for others is the surest path to satisfaction.  As we head into a new week we might sharpen our eyes to look for others in our lives that could use a touch from a person who is not wrapped tightly within themselves.  I spoke with an acquaintance recently who had decided to give his family van to a family in need of transportation.  His wife had noticed the need and said to him, "There is an opportunity to help."  Wouldn't it be great if we all lived "opportunistically" for Christ.  If each of us took our eyes off self and looked to serve, share and surrender self to benefit others the world might be changed and the self-centered culture surrounding us might be shattered.  I suppose to be "other centered" is the only way to live a "Christ centered" life.

 

Matthew 20:²⁶ "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

 

blessings,

Rob Smith