“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:3-4
Although the desire is there, often times we discover that the willingness and ability isn’t. Life’s pace has forced each of us to fit more of life into the same 24 hour box. We have generated complexity in life through the prioritizations and choices we are making each day. Generally these choices have a very short term focus and require immediate action – bills, school, work, kids and doctors. We spend 90% of our waking time working on the To-Do list items, checking off the next thing on the list, sensing that feeling of accomplishment. In the other 10% we are trying to cram in dinner, rest and fun.
It’s not that we are explicitly evil or unrighteousness in our selfish actions, but we allow ourselves to become consumed with the things in life, rather than people. Have you noticed the energizing effect of helping others though? There is something special about giving up something you value so much and giving it to another. I’m referring to your time. It’s the most valued commodity in our life. Beyond money, food, water and air, it’s the one thing you can’t create more of. It’s finite and linear. It cannot be taken without the recognition of the giver, although it can be given without the request of the receiver. You can give your time helping another rather than focusing on your own hectic life.
This sacrifice is enormous in today’s world. For you see, it is the perfect image of giving something to another that is highly valued by you. The 45 minutes that you give to help another person is 45 minutes that you will never get back. You have to choose to give it away, knowing that the things you could have done in that 45 minutes will still need to be done after you have helped another. This is a self-less act of humility, of charity and of compassion.
Jesus Christ lived 33 years. He could have lived another 10 years, 20 years, 50 years or forever, if God so chose. The disciples watched as the Roman guard took him away from the Garden of Gethsemane that night, after Jesus had prayed “Thy will be done”. He carried his cross to Calvary and was crucified brutally and buried. He gave it all. He didn’t have to, he could have waited, he could have chosen to stay here and ask God to find another way to save mankind. But in the single biggest self-less act of all time, he allowed them to kill him. He had faith in God’s plan. He knew that the sins of mankind needed to be atoned for, and He knew that God had sent him to do it. He breathed his last breath, having given everything He had away and completely serving the needs of others.
Matthew 22:37-39 tells us the greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind…….. And love your neighbor as yourself.” Notice the emphasis on all. Think about that for a moment, then figure out how you are going to make a difference in someone else’s life today. Who needs your 45 minutes more than you do?
Prayer:Loving Father,
Thank You for the cross. Thank You for Your Son, and Your willingness to sacrifice Your only Son for our salvation. Your plan was put into place such that we might all have eternity and abundantly so. Your act of giving to us demonstrates clearly how much we are to give to others. Give of our most precious and valued commodity – time. Help us to clearly understand this message in our life, and be brave enough to make a change. Help us identify those in need that we can help today. In Your precious and holy name – Amen.
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