I loved the age when both of my sons began discovering their voices. The string of syllables followed by first words and eventually a full sentence mesmerized this momma’s heart. As they both became toddlers, a little competition developed between the two of them. One of the favorite phrases they used to vocalize their dominance was “Me first!” Because as you know, sliding down the slide first is always best. Or taking a turn first on a bike or a riding toy declares everyone will look at you proudly. Me first describes an attitude that points the spotlight on yourself as well as the idea that you know better so going first is a given.
While pondering the phrase “Me first”, I kept circling back to how our world centers it’s focus on this very idea. There are ads, social media, TV shows all promoting a culture of taking care of ourselves over others. But I wonder what happened to highlighting the “good news” rather than just our personal good news?
Jesus came to share the good news. The Gospel is a story of redemption in the messiness, grace over condemnation, hope over despair and truth over the lies the enemy tries to make us believe. What difference would it make if little by little, our corner of the world spread the good news of Jesus and others before shining the light on ourselves? Is this possible?
Sometimes I wonder whether how we are wired leads us closer to a good news culture or farther away. Is “Me first” so ingrained in our personalities that anything else is difficult?
Many summers ago, when I volunteered to help at SOS (Summer of Service) for middle school and high school age kids at my church, the theme revolved around “I am third”. This has stuck with me even though I am not always good at this in my own life. Instead of focusing on “me first”, we are called to look to God first, others second, and ourselves third. Wow, let that sink in for a minute!
I know that as hard as it it to let go of certain things, God continues to call us to follow His path. He has written an amazing story for each of us. A story of our redemption and so much grace. In order to live our own stories fully, let’s consider the following:
A “me first” story causes us to miss out on the fulfilling story God has already written.
Do we really have as much to offer without the salvation God promised us?
Many times what we see in the mirror is not up to worldly standards. Instead of reaching for the best we can be, we get stuck in being not enough. There is no joy and hope in a story like that. God wrote our stories laced with hope and joy.
I am purely talking out loud to myself right now. All I know is that my life is so much better with God walking by my side. As I maneuver the path He has set for me, I veer in the wrong direction at times, but He always grabs me by the hand and gently pulls me back on track. God loves doing this for all of us. He wants to see us loving our neighbor as an everyday act of worship. Oh the smile that brings to His face!
[Tweet “God desires for us to love our neighbor as an everyday act of worship. “]
In our “me first” generation, let’s stretch out our arms to embrace others before always focusing on ourselves. Let’s love with a BIG love that honors God and the people we are loving.
I am praying these words for everyone today. May we know how much love God put into our stories and whenever, we struggle, He knows us better than we know ourselves. He has planned so much good for us!
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:26-28 MSG
Sabbath blessings,
Photo by Brandon Couch on Unsplash
Hi friend! I love this.
Thank you, Tara! Blessings on your week!
Let’s go back to the beginning. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit; it was not just a sin of disobedience. Much worse. They wanted to be like God. They wanted to be “Me First”. The rest is history.
God bless.
Amen! Back to the beginning of sin and the downfall of man. Adam and Eve wanted what they wanted when they wanted it.
Dear Mary,
I love how you tie all of the thoughts together with this: “May we know how much love God put into our stories and whenever, we struggle, He knows us better than we know ourselves.” And when we embrace Him right there, it will come like you said, naturally, to love others with that same love. May I ask Him to give me more of His love to see others through His eyes!
I am always humbled when realizing that God is the Author of our stories. To think He loves us so much to plan every detail of our lives. I pray I always remember the great love He has for me and use this to share with others. Always blessed to have you join me and share your encouragement.
You raise a very good point, Mary. I hadn’t really thought about how very much the “me-too” movement runs counter to what the Bible teaches. The world can certainly embrace that belief and practice, but as Christians, we must die to ourselves and learn to live not only in truth but grace. Thanks for this inspiring word today, my friend!
It’s interesting you bring up the “Me too” movement.I was not thinking of that when writing this but now that you mentioned it I can see the correlation. I guess with anything, we need to consider our motives for doing what we do and this would include the “me too” movement. I pray we learn to look outward as we seek to honor God.
Boy, if we didn’t struggle with ‘me first’ before, we sure do now in this time of social media overwhelm.
Yikes.
Your wisdom, your reminders are well said. As ever, friend.
Bless you for sharing truth we need to hear. It’s not all about me.
It never was.
xo
Social media is noisy and opinionated most of the time. It is enough to make my head spin on most days. I love how you have always been intentional about steering clear of most social media. It has served you well.
Thank you for your encouragement. I pray you find this to be a wonderful week!
This is great advice to start our week with, Mary. “In our “me first” generation, let’s stretch out our arms to embrace others before always focusing on ourselves. Let’s love with a BIG love that honors God and the people we are loving.” Amen!
Thank you, Lisa! I love “watching” you share the Gospel with the different organizations you volunteer at. You have been a beautiful example to me of what it means to love others BIG. Blessed to have you here today.
What a great SOS focus, Mary! I can see why that stayed with you – great message!
It was so pivotal for me. I must say I am still learning how to live this in my daily life. Thank you for being here and encouraging me!
Mary,
Reading your post took me back in time. When I was a camper at a Christian summer camp, they had an “I am Third” plaque that they gave to one boy and one girl camper who displayed a servant’s heart. Well I got that plaque. I think I’ve always been fairly good at serving others…but sometimes so much so that I put myself so far down the ladder that I neglect self care. I don’t think God wants this for us either. It’s a fine line between serving and embracing others first and always putting yourself last to your own detriment….this is my struggle. Good food for thought….
Blessings,
Bev xx
What an awesome reminder to give at a camp. I imagine that receiving that plaque was a life changer in some ways. There is a fine line as you say between serving others and putting yourself last. I pray you continue to see what a difference your servant heart is making in the lives of those children in Pakistan. May God teach you when you are losing yourself at the cost of serving others. Love you!
This reminds me of the Bible verse – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Thank you, Mary, for this great reminder – “Let’s love with a BIG love that honors God and the people we are loving.” Amen! Love and hugs to you!
Perfect verse to describe this. I pray we both love with a BIG love that honors God. May this week find you well and full of peace.
Hi Mary! I think there’s a book called ‘And I am Third’ or something like that. It’s a wonderful mantra to remember, keeping me humble above all.
Your ‘me first’ story with your boys reminded me of my own kids yelling that too! I think it’s just a built-in need as humans. Maybe it’s a survival thing? But now that life is a bit softer than the caveman days, it’s time to see the wisdom of putting everyone above ourselves. That’s hard to do! But that’s being like Christ, and that’s my goal, and I know it’s yours too.
Sunday blessings,
Ceil
Hi Ceil! I think you are right about that book. I looked it up and it’s by Gayle Sayers (Brian’s Song). I bet you have some great “me first” stories from your own kids. I know my words might sound lofty but what I need to remember is that my life is not all about me. I gave my life to God so now I need to refocus how I live my life. I pray I seek God first and others in a posture of looking outward.
I think of this often, Mary, as my family seems to just keep getting bigger and our circumference expands. I’m so thankful for the push this gives me — out of that comfort zone, girl! You had your day planned, but guess what . . .!
Oswald Chambers writes that the call of God is always (ALWAYS!) going out to be heard by those whose hearts (Like Isaiah’s and Samuel’s) are tuned in to hear it. I know you want to stay tuned to that frequency, too.
I di want to stay tuned to that frequency. Intentionality in how I begin my day makes all the difference. A focused time with God will set me on a path to begin and end well. I love the words from Oswald Chambers. He knew what was important. I pray these words not only push us but convict us that we are not all that an a bag of chips. (How’s that for an expression?)