It is easy to get laser-focused on our own needs that we lose our desire to reach out to others. Our problems are consuming, and we feel we need help, so how can we help someone else? Maybe we even get an attitude that it is our turn to receive and not to give. I’m not talking about only finances; I’m talking about all outreach.
When we focus on ourselves, we tend to stop reaching out. Picking up the phone to call someone going through a hard time may seem difficult when you are also struggling. But it is important that we take our eyes off ourselves and start looking at others. Jesus left us with a new commandment; to love one another as he loved us, but instead, we love ourselves over others. It is human nature to self-preserve but spiritual nature to serve.
Above All Put On Love
Peter tells the Colossians, in Colossians 3, to set their minds on things that are above and not on things that are on earth. He then gives them a list of things to put off, followed by a list of things to put on. His list includes compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. But he says above all, put on love because it binds all those things together, in perfect harmony. Therefore we need to be placing our minds on love. God is love, so it makes sense that things above center on love.
Put Others First
When we stay wrapped up in the troubles of this life, we lose sight of loving others. Instead of thinking about the miracle we need in our lives, let’s see how we can help someone else receive theirs. God wants his children to be proactive about being his hands and feet. There may be someone around you waiting for something you can give them. That may be friendship, kindness, a word from God, healing, finances, or the gospel, but if you are only looking at yourself, you will miss it.
Loving God Allows You To Love People
I have come to realize that the more I focus on God and make our relationship a priority, the more I see people around me. My desire to reach out increases the closer I get to God. An example of this recently occurred when a visitor sat on my pew a few weeks ago.
Firstly I want to note that a few months ago, I wouldn’t have desired to talk to this girl, not because of anything to do with her but because my introverted nature kept me focused on myself and my comfort. Maybe I would have tossed her a smile and prayed God would reach her through the service but would have never been willing to be the vessel he used for the outreach.
But as I stated before, I am beginning to see people differently, and from the second she sat down, I had the desire to reach out. I spoke to her and prayed for her in my heart, but the actual outreach came when she fled the service before it had really begun.
Now I want to stop here and say I don’t tell this story to make myself look good but to show you how much I have changed by changing my focus. After the girl fled, I ran after her to the foyer, gave her my number, invited her to lunch or coffee, and spoke words that the Holy Spirit gave me.
Time To Leave Our Bubbles of Selfishness
I may never know what impact my actions had on this girl, but I know it touched her that someone would go after her. This experience made me see how selfish I have spent most of my life because I can say, with certainty, I would have never done that in the past. I would’ve said a prayer for her but not put action behind my prayer.
I wonder how many people we let go past us every day who need us to reach for them. Not only strangers but those in our circle. We may not know the struggles those around us are facing: which is why we need to get better about looking outside ourselves. We need to put aside selfishness. People are hurting and looking for help, and the church/Christians are supposed to be the answer.
Love is action, and love is looking beyond ourselves. It is time for us to take our eyes off the things of this life so we can accomplish the mission of love God has placed in our hearts.
Referenced Verses: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A34&version=ESVUK
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3&version=ESVUK
Randall Freeman says
Good message my little sister!
carrie says
Thank you! 🙂