Devotion Who is Number One in My Life?

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.--Philippians 2:3-4 (KJV) Read 2:1-11.

Radical words for today’s society. Radical words for a culture in which advertisers seek to twist, omit, imply or anything else in order to get us to purchase their product. The media is not much different, adding pure falsehoods to the mix. We live in a culture in which “self” reigns as supreme and the universe revolves around the repeated statement “me first.”

This self-centered philosophy finds its way into every aspect of society. “I’m not happy with my spouse. Time to move on. My spouse and kids will adjust.”

“I hate my job. I do as little as possible at work. Who cares what this will cost the employer.” The pain of a discarded mate, the rippling apart of children’s lives hardly merits a second thought.

All is rationalized with “They are better off with one parent than with two parents who don’t want to be there anymore.” Closer to home, a mother heads off to work, not out of necessity, not because she feels God call on her life in this regard, but to “expand horizons,” or to afford that larger house, car or vacations. The need for a child to have a parent at home is sacrificed to more “things” and “wants.”

How does this verse affect me? How about those times I have to finish this task or that one instead of spending time with my child who tries to get my attention? Do we spend time reading and cuddling our little ones and talking to and doing things with our older kids? Our grandkids?

What about getting so busy with good things in the community or at church that I neglect my spouse and family? What about church? Do I say no to teaching or helping in Sunday School because God said “Not now,” or because I didn’t want to take the time?

It is easy to point fingers at and judge others for their selfishness and greed. When I do that, I need to look at how many fingers are pointed right back at myself.

Help me, Lord, give you first place in my life by loving You and others with my heart, my attention, and my time--starting with my spouse and family. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Numbers 23:19-20
Tuesday: Luke 12:15, 22-32
Wednesday: Romans 13
Thursday: Ephesians 5:21-33
Friday: Ephesians 6:1-10
Saturday: Philippians 1:9-11

(C) 2018, 2021 Carolyn R Scheidies
From Listen! Who Me?
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