It's Not About Me

Have you ever asked God to put someone in your path on a particular day that you could minister to, but you got so caught up in your busyness and your daily routine that you totally forgot you had requested this? This seems to happen to me from time to time.

Philippians 2:3 says "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but, in humility, count others more significant than yourself." And so you don't merely look out for your own interests, you look out for the interests of others.

How do you count others more significant than yourself? To begin to do this, during my quiet time, I make a list of ways I can begin to look out for the interests of other people. For instance, for my husband, I begin to write down – what are the things that speak to him or might be his love language? It's getting on his agenda, entering his world, doing things the way he likes to have them done, and to spend my time with him on his agenda. I have to admit that I have alot of work to do in this area. If you haven't seen the movie "Fireproof", it is a must see. It has totally changed the way I view my marriage.

Also I must keep my radar up for my children. What does God want to do for them today? Then my neighbors, extended family, friends, grocery store clerk, doctors, nurses, teachers, principals, janitors, cafeteria workers, waiters and waitresses, postman, ups man, banker, teller, florist, insurance rep., pest control man, plumber, and the list goes on. Please don't get overwhelmed by this list and feel that you must touch every person every day. Sometimes it may only be one person a day. Other days it may be more than one. The purpose of this list is to get you to open your eyes to those in need around you.

Several years ago, I felt like I was in my own little Christian sheltered world. I only hung out with other Christians. I asked God to get me out of my comfort zone so that I could be a light for him in a dark world. What he has made me realize over the years was that I was the one putting that shield around myself. He opened my eyes to those in need around me. They were around me all along, I was just to busy and caught up in my own agenda to notice. Recently, I have started to pray, "Lord, what is your agenda for my day?" It is not about me.........

Here are some other related scriptures regarding this topic. As you can see, I love reading the same scripture out of different versions of the Bible. Hope you enjoy!

Philippians 2:3 (The Message)
1-4If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Philippians 2:3 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Galatians 5:26 (NASB)
Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Ephesians 5:21 (HCSB)
and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Romans 12:10 (HCSB)
10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romasn 12:10 (NIV)
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Colossians 3:12 (HCSB)
Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.