Overcoming Busy

Are you self-centered?

July 14, 2009 by Marci

I had a 2 1/2 hour drive by myself this morning.  Last night, I took the kids to my parents so they could stay for a few days and this morning I made the drive back home.  To pass the time, I jumped from radio station to radio station.  I listened to some contemporary christian music, classic rock, country, ESPN radio ( I love baseball!!), classical and talk radio.   (I am also slightly ADD!)  On one Christian talk station, I caught the tail end of a discussion that made me really stop and think.

The radio hosts and a guest were talking about the verse Luke 17:33, “Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (NIV)  The guest brought up this verse and then mentioned the trend in our society toward self-realization, self-actualization and self-esteem.  While there is nothing inherently wrong with these, so many people seek these “self” centered paths to peace and fulfillment only to find themselves still empty.  The Bible says the way to real life is not through trying to keep our own (our self), but to give your life to something bigger – God.  That is where real peace and fulfillment and life come from.

Just think what would happen if we became more God-centered that self-centered! We make ourselves so busy trying to be the “best me we can be”.  There are times when we need to work on that.  We all have parts of our lives and personality that need a little attention.  Working on our selves is not always a bad thing.   However, it is hard to do on our own and doesn’t always bring the fulfillment we thought it would bring.  God has a plan for our lives and I don’t know about you but I’m thinking He probably has a better plan than I’ve got laid out.  I think I’ll go with his!

This week, I’m going to try and be more God-centered and less self-centered.  Jesus said that if I lose my life (self) I will preserve my life.  I will take him at his word.  What about you?