“But, what about me?”
I’ve said it, you’ve said it, we’ve all said it. Or at least we’ve thought it. And the world constantly puts it in our face.
But, where in God’s Word does it ever talk about me taking care of myself? Or me looking out for myself? Or me putting myself first?
Nowhere.
At least that I’m aware of.
God is always telling us to put others first.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
To prefer.
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor
To not be selfish.
Recognize God’s economy. He says to save yourself you must sacrifice yourself:
Matthew 16:24 "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.
Seems to me God doesn’t give a lot of support for that question…
But, what about me?
I’ve said it, you’ve said it, we’ve all said it. Or at least we’ve thought it. And the world constantly puts it in our face.
But, where in God’s Word does it ever talk about me taking care of myself? Or me looking out for myself? Or me putting myself first?
Nowhere.
At least that I’m aware of.
God is always telling us to put others first.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
To prefer.
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor
To not be selfish.
Recognize God’s economy. He says to save yourself you must sacrifice yourself:
Matthew 16:24 "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.
Seems to me God doesn’t give a lot of support for that question…
But, what about me?
hmmmm...that's a tough one! I think if you put other first and are not selfish then time for "me" falls into place. Or I guess that you don't exactly have to plan time for "me" becase God will make it happen if you are diligent. :D (not always what we want to hear and it's not always what happens...)
ReplyDeleteoh drag. i was trying to be a Me princess around here this week to celebrate the last week of my 30s ... you know, not cook or clean. Have my meals brought to me in bed. Get my hair and nails done.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Mrs. Meadows.
But seriously, you RULE with this post. Thanks for this reminder from the Lord.
It is NOT about me.
What's awesome is that nothing should be about you when it comes to other people, but everything is about you when it comes to God. You are ALL that matters to Him, you are His perfect creation, He pours His love on us, it's all about you with Him. That makes the sacrificing with other people easy, because you just get filled up with Him.
ReplyDeleteI am learning in this season of life more than ever that in losing my life I find it and in holding on to my life I lose it. He is sovereign and in control and to trust Him is to put myself last and put others first. It doesn't always makes sense...but there is peace and joy when I am really living out what your post describes. So refreshing...thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteouch
ReplyDeleteOh-so-true.
ReplyDeleteToo much of ME is too much.
:)
I really have never had the self ambition because I haven't felt worthy of it. There have always been others needs in my life that had to come first. Craig has made me start doing stuff for me the last few years. It has been nice but at times I still feel guilty.
ReplyDeleteI think God is trying to tell me something. This is the third time I've come across this theme in my quiet time today...
ReplyDeleteI love The Message. And I love how God is indeed in the driver's seat.
But what if you don't look out for yourself and you always put others first but they abuse that servant attitude? Do we continue in that attitude or should we kinda look out for us so we aren't hurt?
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments.
ReplyDeleteMandy,
It's hard, I know, but according to Jesus' example, He risked it all for Love. Everyone, including me has abused His servanthood. And He was hurt.
We will be too. Love hurts sometimes. But, it's the right choice....ALWAYS.
Love your writings...follow regularly.
ReplyDeleteThis one has me on a different slant, however:
Words like "all things in moderation" tell me how to take care of me without going overboard.
It leads me to thoughts of balance I SO needed to keep other priorities in order.
"Everything must be done in order" teaches me to make sure I'm not taking care of others out of the flesh. It says, be filled first, then serve. Don't try to serve on an empty tank...there is no grace for it. It doesn't work and points onto the flesh.
Jesus went to a lonely place to pray, he got up early to pray, he had people backing him as he prayed...why? Because he knew he needed to take care of himself before he could serve. He had to get in the proper mindset, he had to re-group, he needed re-energizing from the Father.
Great thoughts, but I think we can take them too far. God lives in our temples, and he wants us to take good care of it for service so that we are healthy spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. To try to serve otherwise will be an exercise in futility. I think it's all about our motive. Am I being filled for me, or filled to serve?
Our pastor says so often we are like a sponge, we want to sit and soak...and in doing so, like a sponse, we sour. Icky!
He says instead, we should be filled to be squeezed out and refilled for his use again and again.
Keep blogging...love how you present your thoughts...they challenge mt to think and examine and to be a better mom!