One tough truth that I think we all grapple with at some point in our life is when we realize that it’s not all about us.
Life in general.
A marriage.
Parenthood.
Our career path.
Our religion.
We will all face a moment or multiple where we are met with said realization. From that point, we either make the choice to choose ourselves anyways, ignore it, or surrender.
Ego, selfishness, greed, whatever form you’ve wrestled with – it can consume our life and impact our loved ones greatly.
As I round the sun for the 31st time, I find myself more refined, still stubborn, and a little farther from the selfish side.
Being the oldest child in the family, the nanny, the single mother, the people pleaser – I’ve worn many hats where selfishness was not an option.
Still, as humans do, I’ve found ways to let selfish behavior in. I’ve let my ego get the best of me. I’ve ignored the signs that say, “it’s not about you.”
My greatest guide through selfishness thus far has been Jesus Christ. Through the reading of the Gospels, I’ve found countless times where Jesus has chosen someone other than Himself. I’ve accepted the truth deep down into my heart that He was the ultimate example of self-sacrifice.
I’ve begun to learn from these teachings and see the fruits of selflessness through seeing others who have also accepted this truth. There is a heart change, a transformation that takes place when we stop thinking about “me”. Our mindset begins to shift into “how can I serve you?”
Jesus’s journey wasn’t easy, and He didn’t promise that our life would be either. What He did promise was that by trusting Him, we’d have the strength to do anything. Jesus promised that if we put our faith in Him, not in ourselves, we would have a peace that surpasses our own understanding.
Selflessness is Love
I have trouble thinking of myself when I am focused on love. Love is a powerful tool that I believe comes from heaven above. This gift is one that can be used for good, however, the world has managed to twist it to be about you. Self-care is important, go get a massage or take time for yourself. Though the truest form of love, in my opinion, is done when it flows out of us and into someone else.
Serving Others
If you struggle with ego, or loving yourself too much, start with serving others! This will make YOU feel GOOD. Serving others takes the focus off our own needs, and allows us to give to others in some capacity. You can share your money, your resources, though our most selfless action is our time.
I believe that God honors those who prioritize giving the non-renewable resource of time. This investment into others supports this change of heart. Without realizing it, you’ll feel better about yourself without your ego being the one in charge.
Surrender to God
When we accept that we are not in control, our ego begins to panic. Some run from religion, some get angry due to fear, and others put themselves high on a pedestal to keep them safe from what’s real.
The truth I’ve come to know and believe is that God is in control of everything. From the breath that we breathe to the wind in the trees, there is nothing that God doesn’t know or hasn’t seen. Our deepest desires, our heart of hearts, He is the first to know when you are being selfish or not.
By serving Him, we surrender the grip on our selfish behavior. I’m convinced that when we shift our mind to serving God, the desire to serve ourselves becomes a much smaller thought.
We will hit dead ends, we will be selfish again. The work pays off when we choose to turn around and keep trying.
You’d be relieved to be reminded that God honors the efforts that we put in. He doesn’t mind when we need redirection, as long as we don’t continue to let our ego win.
That selfishness that lives in within us all is an opportunity for us to allow God to be God.
As we go forward this week, I encourage you to confront the ego, the selfishness, and greed. Ask God to help guide you, reveal acts of love, and share opportunities where you can do more serving.
If you have questions about faith or feel called to start serving in the community, feel free to connect with me. I’d love to help get you plugged in! Email: makenna@localpulse.com
Peace be with you, always, all ways!
Makenna Curtis
Faith & Entertainment Writer
Local Pulse Pensacola
