Life isn’t all about you
Let’s do a little exercise to check up on ourselves, but please do not condemn yourself as you do this self check.
This exercise will allow us to reflect on our lives and make some changes if needed. Here are some questions:
If your answer to the last question is a resounding "yes", that's great! But wouldn't it be more meaningful to balance things out? Let's admit it, too much is too much. Now let's take a look closely about what the Bible says about love of self and love of others.
When Jesus was with the experts of the law (Matthew 22:34-40) He said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment…..Love your neighbor as yourself."
Basically, this passage says love God and love others. By default, we've cared for ourselves too much. Jesus is teaching us to channel the love that we have for ourselves to others and primarily to God, who gave us life and everything else that we have here on earth.
In a world of social media calling us to love ourselves more than others, we must remind ourselves from time to time, Life is not all about you.
Jesus did not come into this world to be served but to serve. He left His throne in heaven and laid down His life because He loved other people.
May we let our lives be a reflection of God's love, as it is also written, "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16b). In a book "Be A People Person" by John Maxwell said, "The happiest people are those who have invested their time in others. The unhappiest people are those who wonder how the world is going to make them happy".
Here is another exercise to help foster care of focus of others in our lives:
1. Approach someone you know or a random person, ask how they are and how you could you pray for them. Just listen, listen, and listen. Share your experiences if needed and talk less about yourself.
2. Bless someone with something even if there's no occasion.
3. Give away some of your belongings that mean much to you, but could mean so much more to others.
4. When you are busy and someone comes to you for help or invites you to do something just for fun, try leaving what you are doing in the moment and spend time with them.
5. Do good things that benefit others in secret. You don't have to shout it out to the public what you've done. Work things out silently and let God congratulate you.
Even if you pick just one thing to act on from the list, imagine how it might make the world a better place, truly reflecting Jesus in all we do.
To read more devotionals, visit www.unionchurch.ph/blog Visit the Union Church of Manila website and discover more opportunities to learn more about God’s grace.
This exercise will allow us to reflect on our lives and make some changes if needed. Here are some questions:
- How many selfies do you take in a day?
- How much do you talk rather than listen in a conversation with your friends or family?
- Who do you look at right after taking a group picture with you on it? (Okay this one is kind of a giveaway question)
- Are you terribly affected when your post does not garner many likes or reacts?
- Do you struggle in appreciating or complimenting others for a job well done?
- How do you feel when others have a better idea than you do?
- How much more interested are you about yourself rather than making a positive impact in other people's lives?
- How do you feel when you are not acknowledged or appreciated by others?
- Do your answers to these questions reflect how much you love yourself?
If your answer to the last question is a resounding "yes", that's great! But wouldn't it be more meaningful to balance things out? Let's admit it, too much is too much. Now let's take a look closely about what the Bible says about love of self and love of others.
When Jesus was with the experts of the law (Matthew 22:34-40) He said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment…..Love your neighbor as yourself."
Basically, this passage says love God and love others. By default, we've cared for ourselves too much. Jesus is teaching us to channel the love that we have for ourselves to others and primarily to God, who gave us life and everything else that we have here on earth.
In a world of social media calling us to love ourselves more than others, we must remind ourselves from time to time, Life is not all about you.
Jesus did not come into this world to be served but to serve. He left His throne in heaven and laid down His life because He loved other people.
May we let our lives be a reflection of God's love, as it is also written, "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16b). In a book "Be A People Person" by John Maxwell said, "The happiest people are those who have invested their time in others. The unhappiest people are those who wonder how the world is going to make them happy".
Here is another exercise to help foster care of focus of others in our lives:
1. Approach someone you know or a random person, ask how they are and how you could you pray for them. Just listen, listen, and listen. Share your experiences if needed and talk less about yourself.
2. Bless someone with something even if there's no occasion.
3. Give away some of your belongings that mean much to you, but could mean so much more to others.
4. When you are busy and someone comes to you for help or invites you to do something just for fun, try leaving what you are doing in the moment and spend time with them.
5. Do good things that benefit others in secret. You don't have to shout it out to the public what you've done. Work things out silently and let God congratulate you.
Even if you pick just one thing to act on from the list, imagine how it might make the world a better place, truly reflecting Jesus in all we do.
To read more devotionals, visit www.unionchurch.ph/blog Visit the Union Church of Manila website and discover more opportunities to learn more about God’s grace.