It's interesting how we like to focus on ourselves. One of the best ways to
chitchat with someone is to ask his/her opinions about certain topics or to
dwell on one of his/her favourite hobbies. All of a sudden even the shy person
comes to life, talking almost non-stop.
Notice the advertisements around us. They are all geared to our ego.
What is also very interesting is that in the English language, the only pronoun
that is capitalized is the "I".
What is even more amazing is that once we die, nobody even talks about us any
longer and no encyclopaedia will even think it worthwhile to mention our names.
Why do we tend to think of ourselves as being more important than we truly are?
Have you noticed that the more we focus on ourselves, the more worries abound
and the more our stress level rises? How often have we heard ourselves say: "How
can I handle all of this?"
Is it possible that we are focusing on the wrong person?
While I was away with my family on a month-long camping trip (This would be the
last real camping experience before my oldest son would be attending
university), I discovered that we began to live on a different plane of
existence. Gone were the worries related to work. Gone were the pressures from
everyday life. Gone were the to-do lists of not-that-important things that we
think need to be done. Even the "I" didn't seem that important any longer.
Our only task for the day was to enjoy God's nature and the surroundings we
found ourselves in. We still had to take care of basic necessities like food,
shelter and bills, but they didn't seem to be in the fore-front of our mind as
when we were facing the daily grind. All that mattered to us was God's presence,
along with the beauty He created and the wonderful family He provided me with.
How quickly we forget these "unforgettable" moments once we are back to our
daily routine.
It's then that I realized that in heaven everything we went through here on
earth will seem insignificant. Why did we even worry about matters that don't
really matter? Why were we so focused on satisfying the needs of our own ego?
How different out lives would be if we focused on Jesus and those He loves
instead of focusing on ourselves. Look at mother Theresa. Her only worry was to
answer to the needs of all the hopeless around her. She had no time to worry
about herself.
There is something to what David wrote: "He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way." (Ps 25:9 NIV)
Too often we can't hear God's voice because we put too much importance on our
own needs. How can He fill our arms if they are already filled with things we
deem as important to this lives?
Did we even notice that Jesus' exemplary prayer contains no "I"s?
The same is true with all the worshipping of angels described in God's Word: No
"I"s.
Daniel's prayers only contained two "I"s: Once for praising God, and the second
to thank Him. No wonder he led an exemplary life that transformed lives around
him!
This observation doesn't mean that individuality isn't important to God. On the
contrary, it means that all of our needs are fulfilled in Jesus the Christ,
especially when we know Him on an intimate personal level.
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you
created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
(Rev 4:11 NIV)
"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our
debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'" (Matt 6:9-13 NIV)
The "I" isn't what should be capitalized my friends. The "L" of Love should be,
the Love that Jesus demonstrates towards all of humanity. This is how we truly
can live constantly in a worshipping attitude if we start Loving like Jesus does
and start minimizing our own ego.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30 NKJV)
Then and only then will we acknowledge that truly "He guides the humble in what
is right and teaches them his way." (Ps 25:9 NIV)
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.