Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s)
New book on the shelf (from our amazing Library system… any book I want.. FOR FREE! Amazing!)
It’s Not About Me – by Max Lucado
Read the first couple chapters this morning. He is a great writer. Simple, engaging, says things in a way that makes you want to think about them more.
I think he’s right. 🙂 In fact, when we saw this book, Jen & I looked at each other astonished because for a few years now, I have been discovering this truth at the heart of many life issues and have said I hope to write a book about it someday. Even by that title!!!
Max beat me to it! 🙂
So, not to fear, I have another title in mind, and actually my book is slightly different. Max seems to be heading in the primary direction of that phrase… it’s not about me, it’s all about HIM. The first part of the Greatest Commandment, as it is called, is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” And there are many other scriptures that along with our very inner being proclaim the supremacy of God – he is all in all. Life is definitely all about Him.
But, the other part of that commandment is more my focus in that. So often our me-ness messes up life. First it should be about him, not us. THEN, Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” After God, our attention should rest of the others around us. NOT on us. See, there are lots of other scriptures that let us in on this secret…
Are you ready?
God loves you.
How about that? The all-powerful creator of the universe King… he loves you. So much that he would risk his life for you. Wait, he DID… and he lost it… for you. In romans, it says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”, and those words should echo through your life as a foundation for everything we do… our every action and reaction in life.
I don’t have to worry about me, because God has my back. Completely. So, my focus can be on knowing him first, and THEN on loving everyone he puts around me. Not worrying about my own life (because He does), but having genuine concern and compassion and yes, even… JOY from serving other people around me. Letting them go first in line, and not demanding my rights or needing to speak my mind. Giving my last (insert your favorite thing here) to the person next to me instead of sneaking in the other room to make sure that I get it, and NOT them… Holding a door open for someone, shoveling mountains of snow of the sidewalk, even if you don’t plan to use it.
There are so many ways to put other people first. It’s a key to God’s kingdom. Life would be better if we would. So, let’s.
And I’ll keep you updated on the Lucado view on the subject… 🙂