Monday was that special day of the year when those with a someone special get all gooey-eyed and those without all too often get distressed and depressed: Valentine's Day. Now, if you, like the majority, spent the last week thinking about yourself and/or your sweetheart, I'd like to invite you to use that selfishness for your own education while reading this.If you didn't dwell on Valentine's Day, or it was maybe to you just a Monday, then I would like to open your eyes as well.
In Matthew 22, Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. You know that means love others, but have you ever thought about how you love yourself? Have you thought about how you can be intentional in trying to love others? Take a minute and try to make a list... your first reaction may be that you don't think about yourself that much, but if you take time to consider the following questions, you may have a different impression.
1. Are you interested in what happens in your life?
Does it matter if you ...lose a job? ...have your phone stolen? ...are low on money? ...get your feelings hurt? ...have a bad day?
Show interest in the lives of others.
Does it matter if you ...lose a job? ...have your phone stolen? ...are low on money? ...get your feelings hurt? ...have a bad day?
Show interest in the lives of others.
2. Do you protect yourself from pain?
Do you join in when others are putting you down? If you find out that others are gossiping about you, do you agree with them? Do you point out your flaws to others? Do you spread rumors about yourself? Do you encourage your guy to flirt with other girls?
You don't do these things to yourself; don't do them to other people.
3. Do you do some things just to make yourself happy?
Do you ever ...make your favorite meal for dinner? ...spend time playing games or watching TV/movies that other people don't like? ...take naps? ...have your nails done or get a massage? ...go shopping for non essentials? You can think of the things you do just for you...then, think of how you can do things just to make other people happy. (Please handle with care.)
4. Do you want other people to care about you?
Do you like for people to listen when you're talking to them? Do you want others to notice when you're having trouble? Do you appreciate help in your times of need? Do you prefer doing tedious tasks with someone else? Does a thoughtful card, note, email, voice mail, etc. make you smile? Do enjoy having a meal you didn't have to cook? Do you like getting gifts?
Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
5. Do you pray for things that you need, want, and hope for?
Pray for others.
James 5:16 "...The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
Pray for others.
James 5:16 "...The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
I implore you, use the opportunities you are given, be intentional in loving others, and in humility value others above yourselves.
1 John 4: 7-12 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him . 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
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