Living Others-Focused

As social beings, humans relate to each other through conversation.

As 21st-century, social-media-obsessed, self-indulgent individuals, we like talking about ourselves... A LOT!

But as Christ-followers, we are called to do the exact opposite.

Think about it, the most common greeting in the English language is, "Hey! How are you?" But how often have you used this greeting, not really interested in or wanting a response?

Why? Because as "fallen" sinners, our autopilot is constantly set on putting our needs before others, whether we wish to acknowledge it or not.

During His three-year ministry on earth, Jesus commanded His followers to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-38)

Simply stated: Put God first in everything you do, think about, and feel. Then consider other's needs more important than your own.

This is what I like to call "living others-focused."

How would your perspective on life change if you began living "others-focused"?

• Would you spend time in the Word of God before checking your social media?

• Would you let someone go ahead of you in the line at Starbucks?

• Would you focus on your blessings more than your complaints?

• Would you take time to speak kindness and gratitude to the checkout clerk at Wal-Mart instead of just ignoring them until it was time to pay?

• Would road rage even be an issue anymore?

Look, I'm not saying it's easy. In fact, I am saying the exact opposite!

As sinners, our go-to response to life's circumstances is centered on what we think, how we feel, what we want...in other words, it's a self-seeking mindset.

However, as believers in the saving blood of Christ Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of our hearts to steer us away from such fleshy desires.

Want to shift your priority from self to God and others?

Then take these 2 steps with me:

1. Pray: Take a moment right now wherever you are and ask God to change your heart from being self-centered to others-focused.

   
   

2. With each decsion that comes your way today, ask yourself this, "Is this others-focused?"

And that's it!

Each change we make must begin with a single, simple, and in this case - surrendered step.

It simply requires that we, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)