Have you ever realized how hard it is to do the best thing in a given situation? I have noticed this. It’s not that we don’t want to do the best thing, it’s that we have such a hard time identifying the best thing.
It’s almost like we are hard-wired for self-preservation and self-promotion, and it is very difficult to get past what is best for me, to get to what is best for a family, or a group, or a congregation. In some sense, we are always (unconsciously) running our thoughts through these filters of what is best for me in a given situation.
A few years ago this was a mantra – “Look out for number 1.” But rarely does that attitude bring about the best possible outcome in any given situation. We have to be able to look beyond ourselves to really see what is best for everyone.
Some aren’t willing to look beyond themselves. Some will even tell you they don’t care about others, as long as they are satisfied themselves. They just don’t care. I meet people like this occasionally. They are, for the most part, very frustrated and very angry people. If only they could see beyond themselves, and work for the common good, they would find some of the satisfaction their life lacks now.
I suppose the tendency to “look out for number 1” is part of our sinful nature rearing its ugly head. And we do it unconsciously, we don’t even realize we are doing it. And that is what makes it so hard to stop.
That’s why I really admire those I see that seem to conquer it. John the Baptist was one of those that was able to look beyond what was best for John, and see what was best for God. In the gospel of John, in 3:30, he writes (of Jesus), “he must become greater; I must become less.”
The scenario is that Jesus and his disciples are baptizing people in the Jordan River also, not far from where John the Baptist is. And more and more people are going to see Jesus, than are going to see John. Some of John’s followers are getting worried by this, and they finally say something to John. This verse was John’s reply. He must become greater; I must become less
There was no looking out for number 1 in that reply. John was looking ahead, knowing that people must stop following him, and start following Jesus. He knew that what was best for God, indeed what was best for Israel, was for people to follow Jesus.
That same thing is what is best for America today. And if we can stop worrying about what’s best for us, we can start thinking of what’s best for God, because God is what is best for America. Maybe then we will truly glorify God, and show others faith in something far bigger than ourselves. The faith that can save a struggling people.
It’s almost like we are hard-wired for self-preservation and self-promotion, and it is very difficult to get past what is best for me, to get to what is best for a family, or a group, or a congregation. In some sense, we are always (unconsciously) running our thoughts through these filters of what is best for me in a given situation.
A few years ago this was a mantra – “Look out for number 1.” But rarely does that attitude bring about the best possible outcome in any given situation. We have to be able to look beyond ourselves to really see what is best for everyone.
Some aren’t willing to look beyond themselves. Some will even tell you they don’t care about others, as long as they are satisfied themselves. They just don’t care. I meet people like this occasionally. They are, for the most part, very frustrated and very angry people. If only they could see beyond themselves, and work for the common good, they would find some of the satisfaction their life lacks now.
I suppose the tendency to “look out for number 1” is part of our sinful nature rearing its ugly head. And we do it unconsciously, we don’t even realize we are doing it. And that is what makes it so hard to stop.
That’s why I really admire those I see that seem to conquer it. John the Baptist was one of those that was able to look beyond what was best for John, and see what was best for God. In the gospel of John, in 3:30, he writes (of Jesus), “he must become greater; I must become less.”
The scenario is that Jesus and his disciples are baptizing people in the Jordan River also, not far from where John the Baptist is. And more and more people are going to see Jesus, than are going to see John. Some of John’s followers are getting worried by this, and they finally say something to John. This verse was John’s reply. He must become greater; I must become less
There was no looking out for number 1 in that reply. John was looking ahead, knowing that people must stop following him, and start following Jesus. He knew that what was best for God, indeed what was best for Israel, was for people to follow Jesus.
That same thing is what is best for America today. And if we can stop worrying about what’s best for us, we can start thinking of what’s best for God, because God is what is best for America. Maybe then we will truly glorify God, and show others faith in something far bigger than ourselves. The faith that can save a struggling people.
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