Toby Keith released a song in 2001 entitled “I Wanna Talk About Me.” The chorus states boldly,

“I wanna talk about me, wanna talk about I

Wanna talk about number one, oh my me my

What I think, what I like, what I know

What I want, what I see

I like talking about you, you, you, you usually

But occasionally

I wanna talk about me (me, me, me, me)

I wanna talk about me (me, me)”

Most people listened to the song with a smile because we all know someone (or more than one) who loves to talk about themselves.  If you don’t know anyone like that, then there is a good chance it is you.  Some of us are obsessed with talking about ourselves.

We meet them at the store, and they talk about all their issues.  They come to Church and talk and talk and talk about what they need to be prayed for this week.  At work, you avoid them because you know they will not allow you to get your job done while spending unlimited time on their issues.  I once had a lady say she needed to come to my office to talk.  Right behind her sits a clock on my shelf that I use when counseling.  She spoke for 57 minutes straight, and I never said a single word.  It was almost an hour of every issue in her life. 

Think about your last five to ten conversations.  Honestly, what was the focus of your time talking?  Would the other person agree with you if I contacted them? 

One challenge of a follower of Jesus is put elevate the needs of others.  We are to love our neighbors, submit to one another and encourage each other.  Sometimes one of the sacrifices we need to make to follow Jesus is to shut our mouths and listen more than we talk.  When we do speak, then we ask other people about their issues and struggles. 

I know that in your mind, you think, “But I want to talk about me.” The reality is that to follow Jesus; you need more of him and others – even in your conversations.