WHAT? The World DOESN'T Revolve Around Me?!!

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed the presence of an "it's all about me, everyone stare at me...NOW!!!" attitude lately? Every time I walk into a store, every time I wait in line, and even every time I look for a parking spot, I see the prevalence of this mindset saturating our culture to its very core. The worst part of all is that I see it in myself. It's a little thing I like to call selfishness. Yes, that's right; I am selfish. In fact, you're selfish. Ouch! Kind of hurts, doesn't it? Why yes, it does.


If you don't believe me, picture your reaction the last time someone raced ahead of you to get in line at the grocery store. Still think you're not selfish? Try to count how many times you've turned the conversation back onto yourself, how many times per day you use the word I, or how often you consider what you want or "need." What is the prevailing theme of your myspace or facebook profile? How many times have you demanded your way, whether it be with your family or in a relationship? Get this, even the way you dress, which demands certain kinds of attention from the opposite sex is selfishness. Flirting with someone who is not your spouse is selfishness! Getting warmer? Don't you see? We are all self centered, self saturated people, and worst of all, we're okay with that!


So how did we get this way? How did I get this way? Other than having it beaten into us with tv commercials screaming, "you're worth it!" and song lyrics loudly proclaiming that we should do whatever pleases ourselves, it's built into us from the day of our birth. Am I calling innocent children who "don't know any better yet" selfish?!! Yep. How many times have you heard this line: "But mommy! I want it!" It's called a sin nature. We're all guilty of this, no exceptions. "But you don't know all the awesome, selfless things I do to  help people!" You know what? I don't care. If by some miracle you're not selfish, you're the only person I've ever met (...or never met) that isn't. Congratulations, you get a gold star.


Alright, I'm selfish, so what do I do to fix this problem? The Bible tells us in Romans 12:3, "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." (ESV) My advice? Serve! Get your hands busy helping others; share the gospel and get your mind off of yourself! Stop living for yourself!


"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and they exist because You created what You pleased." (Revelation 4:11 NLT)  We weren't created to please ourselves. Jesus didn't die merely to save you and I from Hell. He also died to glorify the Father! We were created to praise and give honor to Him! We weren't created for us, we were created for God. Fulfill your purpose and do His will. Preach the Gospel, boast only in the cross, glorify the Lord, live for Him!