We are rebellious. We never stop trying to get around the rules. We want to get to where we want, with what we want with us. This is how we are taught to get ahead.
Everyone wants to be the best at what they do, no matter how humble they may want to appear. They may even want to be the most humble person alive.
It is that need to be top dog that is our undoing. We look at ourselves and see the world revolving around us. To each of us, we are the center of the universe.
You may want to put someone else before you, on occasion. But look at your motives for doing so. Is it because you want to look good to everyone else or are you really placing others ahead of yourself?
If the latter, that is unusual. That is how we are supposed to live but it doesn’t come naturally. It is something that we have to work at.
Jesus put everyone ahead of himself and it wasn’t work. It wasn’t unnatural for him. He truly loved others more than himself.
He loved us so much, he died to pay for the price of each of our sins. Would you be willing to do that for others?
Maybe for some but certainly not for others. Think of the most despicable people you can, and then, ask yourself if you would give your life to save them?
What if they were responsible for killing many people? Think of the despots that killed millions. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Lenin, and Castro are a few names that come quickly to mind. Keep in mind those are just a few of the mass killers of modern times. There were many others throughout history. They killed so many people with just a wave of their hand, a signed order or a simply spoken word.
Would you die to save even one of those people? Jesus died to save them all. All they had to do was accept his forgiveness, his salvation and his promise of eternal life in heaven. Even after all the death and destruction they wrought. He still loved them.
I find it hard, sometimes, to find something lovable about many people. I can’t wrap my head around the evil they embrace. When I see them hurting others, it makes me want to retaliate. I can stand the pain myself, but hurting someone helpless is what I cannot stand, let alone express love for those who are causing the pain.
Jesus wants us to learn to love as he did. He knows it is hard and that we will fail over and over. We can reach out to him and ask him to give us the love that he feels when we cannot find it on our own.
He will answer that prayer. He will fill us with love, he can show us what he saw in that person that was worth giving his life to save.
If you are disgusted, disappointed or hateful towards some one or some group of people, reach out to Jesus and ask him to turn your heart around. At the same time, start praying for that person or people.
Who knows? It may be the first time anyone has brought their name before God in prayer. You may be the individual whose prayer God answers.
Matthew 5: 43-46
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.