I've been pondering a few verses in Philippians — I think they are great verses on being a true-blue Christian, a good friend, as well as Scriptures that have jerked the slack out of me! I hope they do the same to you! Are you ready to be encouraged ... and get your toes stepped on too?Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others ...
For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ ... (Philippians 2:4, 21)
What's the bottom line on these verses? Basically, "Get over yourself!" Hello? Notice the phrases, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests ... For everyone looks out for his own interests." What does that mean? Don't be self-absorbed. Only thinking of you: your life, your family, your time, your issues, your needs, your hurts, your dreams, you, yourself and your!
Kind of gross, isn't it? The idea is to be interested in others! News flash ... It's NOT all about you! In your personal life, in your marriage, in your church life, in your work, in your friendships ..."Get over yourself!"
How many of you know the song, "It's All About You"? The words are great. It goes something like this: "It's all about you, Jesus. It's not about me, as if You should do things my way ..." I think sometimes we get it backward! We forget the real words and we begin to sing our own little chorus, "It's all about me ... Jesus ... it's not about You ... You should do things my way ..."!
A friend of mine shared a schoolgirl-ditty that sort of paints the same picture: "Oh, I think I'm great, I think I'm grand — I go to the movies and I hold my hand!" Who wants that testimony? Or not? Who wants to improve their focus on ... "the interests of others"?
If you want to be a novelty in this world ... be focused on others! An expert on friendship said this, "The key to being interesting is to be interested." In other words, if you want to be a desirable and an interesting person, just simply choose to be interested in others — their life, their needs, their successes, their hurts ... and how you can be a blessing to them! This is a rare thing! The next time you are having a conversation with someone, take note of how much you are talking about "you," or how much you are asking about "them."
Did you know that you are either a "drainer" or a "replenisher"? If you are always talking about "you" and your joys & woes ... you are a "drainer." You drain people ... you talk their ears off, you wear out their emotions, you take, take, take! If you focus on "others" and how you can be a blessing to them ... you are a "replenisher." You refresh people with good words, you show you are interested in their lives by asking questions about them, you are blessing, blessing, blessing! How can you be a "replenisher"? Simply be interested in others on purpose.
Be the kind of person who is genuine in asking questions of others. This is an art. You have to take the initiative. You have to be proactive. By asking questions of others you are showing that you are interested in their life. For example, here are basic questions you can ask, "How was your week? Are you enjoying this season of your life? What is your biggest challenge? How can I help you, or how can I be praying for you?"
Be the kind of person that notices the little things in another person's life! Notice when someone may be under stress, in a difficult season, or fighting the fight of faith and be led by the Lord to write an encouraging note, suprise them with a gift, lift their load, or deliver them a homemade meal. Also, notice when a person has achieved some accomplishment or success and be creative in congratulating them — make a big deal out of it!
Be the kind of person who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit and who is led to be a major encourager to others spiritually. It's your job to be contagious with the "spirit of faith" and let the life of God in you rub off on others! That's the kind of person who looks out for the things of Jesus Christ!
So, are you challenged? Toes stepped on? Tired of thinking of yourself? Ready to initiate and focus on others? Me too! Lord, help us!
Beth
