I would like to challenge a common practice in our society. I want to encourage you to approach life a bit differently than we have been taught, to one degree or another, all our lives. You and I live in a world that promotes a lifestyle focused on self. Everywhere we turn we are bombarded with the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, message that life is best lived focused on self. This message tells us that our life is most fulfilled, we are happiest and our life will work best when it is focused on self.

We are encouraged to make a name for ourselves and live life focused inwardly. The message tells us that we must look out for number one and constantly seek to take care of our needs and wants above all else.

If you look at our society, you will see that this me first mentality has resulted in many things. In relationships this approach of putting me first results in a clash of wills and desires. When two people in a relationship are constantly focused on self, there will be continual conflicts and hurt arising from our self-centeredness. After all, getting my way and taking care of my needs are paramount. Therefore, I certainly don’t have time to focus on your needs.

In our society, our churches and our workplaces, this attitude results in people who think that everything is about them. The church, the government and my place of employment all exist to make me happy. I constantly want to know what you can do for me.

I end up with this entitlement mentality that makes me think that everything is about me. I am entitled to have someone constantly taking care of my needs. After all, aren’t myneeds more important than anything else? If you live a life with yourself at the center, you will discover that your world is small indeed.

The most fulfilled and happy people that I know are those who have discovered that life is meant to be lived focused on others. Consider this passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippian church: “Don’t be selfish;

don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

What if we began to consider others first in our relationships? What if we approach life with a servant mentality, rather than a “serve me” mentality?

What if our first concern at church and at work was what God wants me to do to make a difference, rather than “What’s in it for me?” What if we began to evaluate our lives based on our contribution rather than on what we can consume on ourselves? What would change if our lives were more centered on God and others than on ourselves?

It is certainly a counter-cultural approach, but then, much of our culture is certainly in need of a new approach with different results. Think about it.◊◊◊

Editor’s note: Al Fowler is the

Church, Pages 2 on 08/17/2011