Significant Others
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
In my universe, all the planets orbit around big, fat Planet Stephen. The governing law of this universe goes something like this: Stephen wants, Stephen gets. The interests of others? Nothing more than distant stars. Planet Stephen is by far the most important planet in the universe.
Then I come to scriptures like this that throw a gigantic monkey wrench into my universe. According to this scripture, God calls me to treat others as if they were more important than me. And that messes my whole universe up.
Have you ever considered the incredibly radical call of this scripture verse? What would it really look like to treat every person as if they were more important than me? Probably something like this:
- Being more concerned about serving and caring for Jen than relaxing, particularly after work.
- Putting aside my “important tasks” at work for the sake of serving those I work with. This may even mean doing mundane tasks that I would prefer not to do.
- Having a hard phone conversation with someone when I would rather be watching television.
- Hanging out with the person nobody ever hangs out with, and drawing that person into my circle of friends.
- Taking a genuine interest in other people’s lives. Making a real effort to draw others out in conversation.
- Being faithful to do what Jen asks me to do, such as take out the trash, rather than lazily put things off.
I could keep going with this, but you get the point. When interacting with others, my first question shouldn’t be: What do I want? My first question should be: What would serve this person most?
As I look at this list I’m aware of the utter impossibility of living in this cut-you-to-the-heart sacrificial way. Apart from the supernatural power of God, I can’t consider other people more important than me. I’m a selfish guy who likes doing his own thing. In my selfishness, I really don’t give a rip about what you want to do. So I’ll be turning to God and asking him to change me. That’s my hope.
What would you add to this list?
Posted in Serving
May 13th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Stephen,
Praise the Lord! I believe HE has given you (and your dad) this incredible ability to apply the deep truth of Scripture (the “radical call” as you say) in a real and very practical way to our lives. I thank Him for this blog, this instrument He has given you to share with so many the wisdom and insight He has given you. I thank you (and your Dad) for your faithfulness in serving Him and others in this way.
I would add to the list:
seeking the Lord every morning, specifically for what’s important to Him, in each moment, in each interaction with a student, rather than focusing on what’s on my “important to do today” list. I believe that as I am seeking Him, and His will, then He will change me and my selfishness will be replaced with servant hood. In verse 5 it continues, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” Oh to have the mind of Christ - This is my hope and prayer, that the Lord will change me, Amen!
May 13th, 2008 at 10:23 am
BethAnn - Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you find this helpful. Excellent thoughts as well! And I would even add that we should be seeking God in each moment as we encounter our selfishness. We desperately need his help!
May 13th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
This is a provoking post. Can you just post this again and again everyday?
I need this reminder that often and probably more often than that. What I would add to the list for myself is, “What does this person want to talk about?”
May 13th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Briana - That question cuts to the heart. So often I either want to talk about my interests, or just don’t feel like talking. Great addition!
May 14th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Thanks Stephen for a swift boot to my rear in this area!
Thankyou for your ministry through this blog.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Boaly -
Glad the blog served as a boot!
May 16th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Thanks so much for stepping on my toes. Those are great verses and your post was a challenging reminder. How grateful I am that God is willing to change my selfish heart if I just let Him.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Robin -
Glad it was helpful for you. Sometimes we need to have our toes stepped on a bit!