Graduate Beyond Selfishness
With the work and studying done, many have graduated from kindergarten, high school and college recently. The local paper shared with us some achievers in one of its recent editions.
If you are like me, reading about the successes of others makes you stop and think about your graduation from high school or college and what all has transpired since one or more of these occurred in your life.
If you could go back to that time, would you change the way you approached your life as an adult differently? Only you can answer this question.
We all have options from the time we start school until we finish school. These options may not be the options we would prefer from which to make our current decision or decisions, but the options before us are what we have. What we do with these options are up to us.
If I could talk with those who graduated with me, long ago, from either high school or college, my guess is that life has not been what each of us thought it would be. For some, life has been great; for others, not so much.
The successes or failures in our life are many times based on our decisions. However, the decisions others make can and do, many times, affect our lives, for better or worse.
We live in a world where me, myself, and I are more important than others. Focusing on self only will bring you unhappiness in the long run.
As Christians we are taught that joy comes from placing Jesus first, others second, and self last of all. Yet many who call themselves Christian still have a tendency to put self before others, and even before Jesus, many times. When we suffer as a result of this, we wonder why God is not looking favorably upon us.
I recently read a book about a teacher who taught in a school district where his school was forgotten by leadership in the school district. The top leader of the district, the school board members, and even teachers put themselves first, over the well-being of children in this particular school.
He was a David fighting a Goliath. I wish I could say he won the battle, but he did not. Isn’t this a sad commentary that adults would put their status and positions in the local community over children? Sure it is. It is nothing short of despicable.
I am sure there are other schools out there where this has happened, too, over the years. Just as this has happened in a school setting, it could have easily been in a church setting or a work setting. I can personally attest to this happening in schools, churches, and jobs over the years.
The principle of putting Jesus first, others second, and self lastly, has been left at the door of these places many times, because me, myself, and I are more important than others, even if Jesus tells us it is not throughout His Word.
Plus, dare I mention this is an election year? How many politicians do you think are putting us before themselves?
In 2016, we have churches, schools, governments and workplaces all in turmoil. Our new graduates have great aspirations for all of these. Whether we have recently graduated or not, we all need to work better at making the lives of others better. In doing so, we make our lives better. When we put Jesus first, others second, and self last, then, and only then, will we see a better world and better lives for one and all.
What are you planning to do differently to make the lives of others better today?
My prayer is that all of us will graduate beyond selfishness today.