THE OTHER SIDE OF ME

whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25 & 28
Do you ever prioritize other people’s needs above your own? 
Throughout my adolescent years, my parents often instilled in me the value of selflessness. Admittedly, despite their zealous efforts, my immature rebellious nature compelled me to believe that my desires were first priority. Today’s culture resonates a similar me-first-you-second attitude. Secular media relentlessly reinforces this mindset by indoctrinating us with enticing “me first” messages — cultivating an epidemic of narcissism and entitlement.
A common misconception among today’s believers is that God exists to serve us and to fulfill our every desire. Actually, when we decide to follow Christ, we inherit His counter-cultural mantle of servanthood. Scriptural servanthood, as modeled and asserted by Jesus, means giving life away and prioritizing His will above our own will. In opposition to today’s “me first” environment, following Jesus means purposely and prayerfully forfeiting personal plans and purposes in order to prioritize others needs.
Today, even as a mature believer, I still struggle to overcome selfishness. The enemy can exploit my propensity to prioritize self. To overcome self’s seductive appeal, I intentionally choose to set aside some time to prioritize the needs of society’s marginalized. Serving allows me to be the tangible hands and feet of Jesus in His absence. Giving myself away helped me discover the other side of “me” — the side redeemed for His glory — the side chosen for His purposes — the side that chooses to serve despite personal comfort, convenience, and cost.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me to serve. Create in me a servant’s heart. Help me to step outside the comfort and confines of my church and to reflect and serve You in my community. Amen.

GOD LOVES YOU

God, they say you love us, but do you really mean me?”
“God loves you!” We hear it from time to time. Sometimes it is offered as somewhat of a Band-Aid to a difficult problem we face. Sometimes it’s on a billboard or on a grandmother’s lips. But does it really make much difference if He does or if He doesn’t? And if God really does love me, does it actually affect me where I live and walk today? Does God’s love matter in any practical way to me?
Most of us have no trouble believing in a higher power. Nearly every 10-step help program acknowledges the need of it. Most people say, “Yes” when asked if they believe in God, but that’s often about as far as it goes. Little rituals, memorized prayers, desperate pleas for God to get us out of the scrapes we get ourselves into, seems to be the extent most of us know God.
Yet His Word, the Holy Bible, tells of a very loving God who longs to be in relationship with us. The Father’s heart, to us, His children, is tender. His arms are open and His invitation is “Come”..
“Come to me all you who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest for your souls.” Matthew 28 & 29
Sometimes we cannot hear His call to “come”. Sometimes our filters are clogged with the sad truth that our own father may not have provided a good example of loving us. Sometimes we do not believe His love could be for us as an individual. Oh, we know others whom God could surely love, but me? “No”, we think, “not if He really knew me.”
There are times in our lives when God calls our name. He asks us not to harden our hearts to Him, but to respond and to come.
“God loves you” is a deeply profound statement that will change your life if you will let it. Dare to explore with me the depth of this love. Dare to turn your head and hear Him calling your name. You will never be sorry.