Me-me-me!!!!

I recently read an e-mail and even though it was of a serious nature and the person was upset and obviously frustrated, I almost laughed out loud as it was so totally one-sided. This person was oblivious to everything going on around them except their own personal slant on things. It was as if they were incapable of seeing anyone else’s point of view which was, well, totally one-sided! It never ceases to amaze me as to how self-centered people can be and so completely close-minded to other points of view.

One of my favorite books is, “How to win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. It is required reading for our sales department. Carnegie researched people for years and came to the conclusion that the overwhelming majority of people, (all humanity), are totally obsessed with themselves and little else matters to them. His sales-improvement course and book reveal how a sales person can use this Achilles heel’ to good advantage when trying to sell someone. The main rule taught by the course is to keep the entire’ conversation centered around the customer. Talk only about them and only bring up subjects important to ‘them’. Mention the word they like to hear the most, (their own name), often and the deal will be won.

Jesus was aware that most people care little for anything or anyone aside from themselves. He taught a different concept. His lesson to us is to serve others and not dwell upon ourselves. It was strange doctrine back in the day when He literally walked the earth and it remains so today, as most people do not heed His advice on this subject. The me first’ thinking prevails and is foremost in most people’s minds. Jesus told His disciples that He who desires to be first must be last. He went on to tell them that even He, the King of all Kings, came to this old world to serve and not be served, (as He rightfully should have been served). He wanted to personally set the example for us to follow.

In thinking about this we should realize that in the big scheme of things, after all man is pretty small and insignificant. We need to get past the mirror and look around and see the needs of those around us and perhaps fulfill some of them for them. Perhaps it will even require some sacrifice. If it pains you to think of doing something for someone else, just think of the sacrifice that Jesus gave for us and maybe it will make this less painful

As we walk through life we should realize that the world does not revolve around us. Indeed if you were to breakup your friendship with your best friend, quit your job in a huff, or even leave this planet toe-up’ it would not be the end of the world for others, rather it would be more like someone sticking their finger in a glass of water. When the finger is removed the rest of the water fills in nicely and in a moment’, it is as if the finger had never been there. The world will keep right on spinning and insignificant little you will not have much of an affect on anything.

After a while we will be gone and forgotten and it will be as if we were never around in the first place. The moral of the story is that all of us should not take ourselves so seriously and definitely be more humble. What we will take with us when we leave this planet will be our good works and what will be remembered will be the times we served others and most importantly when we served our Lord and Savior Jesus ChristIn the end ‘greatness’ can be measured by our ‘serving’ because ‘greatness’ is serving!

Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for
many.