Thursday, August 18, 2011

Esteeming Others Higher

We live in such a fast paced world today don't we?


Not only is it fast paced, it is  a very self centered society we are in. Not much thought is given to others and their needs.  But if you are a Christian that should not be so....

Phillipians 2:3-4
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition, or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out  not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

You know this hard teaching is exactly the opposite of what society wants us to believe. If you have T.V. you are bombarded with images and messages that tell you "Your Worth It!" If you are a girl the first thing you are taught in secular schools is how you will throw your family aside and get a "real" job. Becoming an important contributor to society. If you are a boy you will be taught that you don't have to grow up, you can live your life the way you want. If you make a mistake, someone else will pay for it. Women are just like you and you don't have to look out for them or treat them respectfully.  A lot of times boys are taught that girls are sexual objects and that is all. Isn't that such a selfish message? These teachings start  a lot of people on a life long battle with feelings of guilt and worthlessness. 

We are also told that when people get old, they have to go in a nursing home. We couldn't possibly be inconvenienced with the financial burden, not to mention taking away precious time from ourselves. I am not saying there are not legitimate reasons for doing so, but, the majority of us do these things because we esteem ourselves really highly. The comfort and care of another,  not so highly. And we could not be burdened.

Imagine what a beautiful society we would live in if  we followed God's mandate and esteemed others higher than ourselves........ Who knows maybe we wouldn't feel quite so guilty and quite so worthless.... We might be to busy to think about it anyway.


Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

4 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Amy Jo!

    Thank you for it!

    God Bless!

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  2. This post is so true. My parents had me late in life and by the time I was 26 (with two small children in tow) I was taking care of both of them ~ they both had dementia, mom had congestive heart failure and dad had Parkinson's Disease. Let me tell you it was no small order for someone so young. But I never did put them in a nursing home. I spent several years straddling the line between being mother to my children and to my parents as well. There were days I thought I wouldn't make it, but God gave me the strength. I just couldn't turn my back on them. So now, I don't have to live with regrets. I know I did the best I could ~ as inept as I felt for the job ~ I did the best I could.

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  3. Wonderful post, Amy Jo!
    I am constantly reminding my children - and myself - to "prefer one another". Thanks for this post!
    Blessings,
    Lisa

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  4. Thank you ladies!

    Mrs V. I am so glad you had the ability to care for your ill parents. What a wonderful example to others! I am sure you and your children have many blessed memories that you would not have if they would have been in a nursing home.

    Blessings to you all,
    Amy Jo

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