Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

What is your real motivation for what you do and say?  Are you truly thinking of others or deep down is it more about you?  God knows our hearts and He sees what we are really saying and doing.  This is obviously very important to Him because Jesus said the second most important commandment was to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

This is a season to truly take the time and think about others as we give gifts to our families, friends and often total strangers.  It is a great time to practice paying it forward and thinking about the needs of others.  As you do that though, take a fews moments and ask God to show you any areas you are being selfish with those closest to you to the point that it isn’t healthy.  We all have areas that we could be more thoughtful in.  This may be a good time to figure out what you can change in the coming year to improve your heart for others needs above your own.

It is easy to get caught up in the “me, me, me” concept of living, it is all around us.  ‘Put yourself first’, is the message given out by the world.  ‘If it feels good do it.’  Everywhere you turn there’s someone telling you to focus on what is best for you and what you want but do you really feel that is God’s opinion and desire for us?  According to this verse, no.  Jesus was very selfless, even to the point of His own death.  We would have been in serious trouble if His only thought was, “what’s in this for me?”

Ask God to fill you today with His love for others to the degree that you realize one day that you have left behind all of those thoughts of, “what’s in it for you?” The more we become like Christ, the more our thoughts will be on Him and less on what we feel we need to fulfill us.  God is the only one who can fill all the needs in your life so when you become full of Him all of those selfish desires, addictions and that huge ‘void’ will fade away.  Allow Him to make you more like Him today.  Truly honor Him this season with all that you do and say!

Quote:  “The end result of kindness is that it draws people to you.”  Anita Roddick