Monday, November 08, 2010

“Planet Me”


The Word:

Read: (and memorize) Philippians 2:3-4

Additional Reading: Philippians 2:1-13, Romans 12:5, Ephesians 2:10

“Planet Me” by Randolph Koch

Sometimes we get caught up living our lives in an unpleasing manner. Or we’ve possibly fallen into patterns or times of selfishness. We even come across as selfish without even knowing it sometimes. Everywhere we look, the news, TV, the newspaper, etc. we see evidence of lives motivated by selfish desires and actions.

True selfishness can turn into sin. Unless it’s dealt with quickly, it can be very destructive to those who choose to live this way. In past generations and in our current world cultures, people have chosen to live their lives completely for their own needs, wants, desires, and ambitions. This is such a shallow existence and sadly you may stop for a moment to realize that someone you know may come to mind. It’s as if they think they’re “a planet” and everything and everyone on the face of the earth revolves around them. Pray for them or if
it’s you, pray that the Lord will help you break free from these chains. As we look back in history we’ll find that many dictators and other figures were motivated by things like hatred, greed, envy, jealousy, etc., all of which seem to have selfishness at there root. Saul in his jealousy toward and at times rage against David, the nation of Israel as they chose to worship the Golden calf instead of the One true God they knew delivered them from Egypt, as well as Jacob as he stole his brother's birth right, all were driven by selfishness. Just to name a few. Don’t be like them! Learn from their mistakes and help others live right before the Lord our God. No matter what society, the world, or the evil one tries to dictate about
how we should live and operate in this life- let us never forget to place our lives and actions in His hands so we might live our lives pleasing to Him. We have to live our lives with others, including God in mind. The same applies, at work, home, church, or even while driving when someone cuts you off in traffic. Even when your co-worker or a leader at church treats you with disrespect. Choose to please God and “take the high road” if at all possible in every situation. This is tough at times but we need to be found trying to live a God pleasing life.

In addition to this, we need to remember that there’s absolutely nothing in scripture that says we’re in this life alone. There’s also nothing in the scriptures that says we’re supposed to be alone! We need each other! We need other people around us to help us along our path that God through our journey called life takes us on. We need to be actively thinking about the needs of others and seek opportunities to serve and bless others. With this have you ever noticed that there’s no “I” or “me, me, me” in the term family. Whether we like it or not we are a part of a family and this is true whether it’s your biological family, or church family, etc. (see Romans 12:5) We may not agree with each other at times but we sure do need each other.

We have to continually remind ourselves that we need God and others in our lives. We may not get our way all of the time and that’s just life. If we get ourselves into the habit of living our lives unselfishly and focus on serving God and others, our many and seemingly minuscule needs will all but fade away. The fact is, you become more satisfied in life when you seek to live your life this way. Wouldn’t it be great and pleasing to God if we were to be described as someone who lives their life to make a difference in other people’s lives - and doing so without any selfish ambition or motive. Just like Jesus Himself. This is possible if we’re serious and will seek the Holy Spirit’s help to live a God directed life instead of a self-directed life. We need to continually examine ourselves as the scripture states to see if there is anything unpleasing to Him. Let our motives be to completely live to glorify God. We’ve got to stop living our lives out of selfish ambition. We’ve got to get off of “planet me” and back to planet earth living with everyone else around us seeking serve them and the Lord
unselfishly.

Questions to Get Started With:

-Do you seek to live your life to please only you?
-Are up currently caught up in selfish desires and actions?
-Do you seek to live your life for God?
-Are there people you know who are living selfishly that you can actively pray for?
-What have you learned in the selected passages that you can apply in your life now and or help others do the same?
-Have you consulted God lately about your current goals, dreams, and aspirations? Or do you want to continue to be selfishly trying to direct your own life?

Idea:
Take the main selected passage and write it or type it up and print it out on several cards. Then place it in several locations where you’ll be reminded how your life should be directed. (I.E. Your car, refrigerator, bathroom mirror, etc.)