Its common sense that serving yourself should be the most fulfilling way to live life. Its in our nature to do this. Serving self is easy. Serving others is seen as second. Its opposes what we feel. Sometimes, its hard work. Serving other feels unnatural.
Clearly, these are not complete stories; nor are the above the only people who've ever experienced fulfillment in serving others before serving self.
On the flip side, lets look at people who serve themselves primarily.
Professional athletes, actors, and actresses. The majority of celebrities. All with ridiculous amounts of money to blow on themselves. How many of their marriages end in divorce? How many end up with money problems, legal problems, drug and alcohol problems, in rehab, or depressed? A lot.
Obviously, this isn't true across the board. I'm sure there are plenty of selfish people who claim to be completely happy with serving themselves.
I've been thinking about the reason why selfless people seem to have so much joy. I believe it is because joyful selfless people have a (sometimes) hidden motivation. They have a knowledge of something greater that serving self. I think these people are motivated to serve others because of the love and grace they've been shown.
Serving others while expecting nothing in return is a hard pill to swallow. If I always expect something in return, I'll be let down. I think people who are selfless understand that their personal sin is unforgivable without the grace of God. I think selfless people understand that God forgiving them of unforgivable offenses is such a marvelous act, that they're forever grateful.
Selfless people are not selfless out of their own will. Selfless people are selfless out of God's transforming Love and Grace.
I realized that yelling, frustration, and overall negative interaction with this student is not synonymous with loving him. I was trying to help him, but it was only driving him away. I was trying to get through, but he was building walls, keeping me out.
Yet, it also seems that some of the happiest, most fulfilled people, serve others primarily.
A few people come to mind:
- Mother Teresa - Advocated for the poor in India by starting a school with no funds or outside help. She served Jesus in everything she did.
- Paul (the disciple) - Lived on the road with an intense desire to tell others about Jesus. He often endured extreme misfortune for the cause of the gospel.
- Katie Davis - Moved to Uganda at 18 years old to help children in poverty. At 23 (I think), she's currently a mom to 13 children and runs a non-profit organization to help single moms.
Clearly, these are not complete stories; nor are the above the only people who've ever experienced fulfillment in serving others before serving self.
On the flip side, lets look at people who serve themselves primarily.
Professional athletes, actors, and actresses. The majority of celebrities. All with ridiculous amounts of money to blow on themselves. How many of their marriages end in divorce? How many end up with money problems, legal problems, drug and alcohol problems, in rehab, or depressed? A lot.
Obviously, this isn't true across the board. I'm sure there are plenty of selfish people who claim to be completely happy with serving themselves.
I've been thinking about the reason why selfless people seem to have so much joy. I believe it is because joyful selfless people have a (sometimes) hidden motivation. They have a knowledge of something greater that serving self. I think these people are motivated to serve others because of the love and grace they've been shown.
Serving others while expecting nothing in return is a hard pill to swallow. If I always expect something in return, I'll be let down. I think people who are selfless understand that their personal sin is unforgivable without the grace of God. I think selfless people understand that God forgiving them of unforgivable offenses is such a marvelous act, that they're forever grateful.
Selfless people are not selfless out of their own will. Selfless people are selfless out of God's transforming Love and Grace.
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I'm becoming aware of this from personal experience. I teach in a diverse school, located in a low income neighborhood. I'm made fun of sometimes. Students don't respect me. I'm often overloaded with extra things to do. To put it lightly, its sometimes nothing short of chaotic. My natural reaction is to become frustrated and sometimes angry with students who give me issues. I even yell sometimes. Little by little, God is transforming me. Last week, I caught myself in an interaction with a usual offender. A thought entered my mind.
"You don't know his story."
I realized that yelling, frustration, and overall negative interaction with this student is not synonymous with loving him. I was trying to help him, but it was only driving him away. I was trying to get through, but he was building walls, keeping me out.
My problem is this: I try to 'love' out of my own will-power. I don't (often) let God's love and grace transform me into a loving person. Using my own will power on a daily basis leaves me feeling pretty empty. It hasn't been until lately that God has really been teaching me that my love also has a source. My love flows from his love. Its the only sustainable source of love. Without God's love, my love will fail.
I'm a slow learner, but I'm getting there ;)
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