Selfie
You know, selfie wasn’t even a word ten or so years ago. I look back pre-cell phone era and compare post-cell phone era and think: wow, self has become even more prominent, we can capture ourselves and share ourselves in an instant. Sad.
Nothing new under the sun really, all sin and sorrow is derived from a constant pursuit of self. From the first murder of Abel to the persecution throughout the world today. From the first lust of the flesh to sex traffic-ing today. From the first stolen property to identity theft today. All for self and the pursuit of fulfilling what can never be filled with good or bad intentions.
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1John 2:16 NIV)
This may seem like ‘them’ to you and me. But a closer look will reveal how self motivates each of us every day. But that’s the point of the Bible in many ways. An examination over time of how we mess up – and a Savior who came and literally showed us a better way.
Unfortunately it will be a life-long work in us to turn us from selfies to selfless. On this earth, won’t really happen. But the closer we get, the more abundant life will be. “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10 CSB)
Yes, the full life Jesus came to illustrate, to give, was never material abundance. His is an abundance of inner peace, knowledge that this life isn’t all there is, and that the more we give – the more we have. A life that can have joy in the midst of deepest pain. A life that can have love in the face of hate.
Hmm, indeed it takes a lot of work. But guess what – we’re not the workers, we’re the receivers. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, to work in us, and to go before us – we begin to see differently and to react differently.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and will bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 BLB) I think it’s time to put down the cameras and calls for look at me. Time to look at a hurting world, a neighbor, a friend, a family member and see like Jesus sees. Created in God’s image, one and all – and all needing only what the Selfless Giver has for us.
parisrenae 