“What’s in it for me?”

“How can I help you?”

Whichever question you ask the most reveals your level of spiritual maturity.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

There are people you encounter regularly who have hidden themselves from you. You see them physically but nothing more.

What would happen if you opened your eyes to all the people around you?

This could be the lady who works at the gas station, the young person at the store, your neighbor across the street, that coworker you walk past every day, and even the person who sits near you at Church.

What would happen if you asked God to open your eyes to all the people you have been missing?

You might make a new friend, be able to meet a need or have a chance to share Jesus with someone who does not know him.

Our world is full of places for believers to be agents of grace if we only open our eyes to see who has been hidden in plain sight.

“For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” Proverbs 29:23

Pride is always a destructive attribute. More than that, it is a sin. No matter what anyone tries to tell you.

I cannot exactly explain what IT is, but it is easy to see when someone has it. Their actions, thoughts, and words all match as everything comes together in one harmonious display.

When I coached youth sports, it was evident which kids got it and which kids did not. Those who get it make the correct moves, see their teammates and can execute without hesitation. I also noticed people who get it when I go fishing. I can stand next to someone on a public fishing dock and show them exactly what I am doing that is working. They pick it up in one explanation and immediately start catching fish. Those people get it.

On the flip side, some people do not get it. One example from my life is the study of foreign languages. I cannot get the words, translations, and my speech to line up. I can pass a test but not speak the language. I am the same way with music. I have had two years of guitar lessons, and I cannot play a single song. I just don’t get it.

Everyone seems to have areas of their life where they really get it and other behaviors where they do not. I am sure you have seen this occur at work or in recreational activities.

This is also true of following Jesus. Some people seem to get it, and others do not. Some people can listen to a sermon or lesson and make immediate application. Every week, they grow and change for the better as they align their lives with Jesus. Other people do not seem to get it. They hear the same teaching and never seem to make a connection to their lives.

I really do not know how to make someone get it who does not get it. There are numerous dynamics at play. An open mind, a willing spirit, a desire to grow, a listening ear, and a soft heart are some of the primary ingredients. One or more of those things might need to be touched in a meaningful way before a person gets it.

One faulty assumption in the Church is that because people have attended for years, they must get it. I have found there is no correlation between time and awareness. If you have no idea what I am talking about, then you probably don’t get it.

How did I become a preacher?

That is a long story, and it started before I was born. My mother was a committed believer and married a man who was not. He attended Church with her, and in his thirties, under the preaching of a man named Albert Amos, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

From there, it was a lifetime of transformation. Some parts were easy to change, and others took decades of persistence. During this time, I came along as the youngest of three children. One of Dad’s dreams was for all his children to follow Jesus, too.

On the last Sunday in November 1980, I went forward during the “invitation time” at the close of the program. I looked to my left, and my brother, who was 13 at the time, joined me at the front of the Church. We made our confession of faith and were baptized together.

From there, I watched my dad change and grow. He became an usher, a deacon, an elder, and a Sunday School teacher through those years. Mom was in the choir, helped in the kitchen, and served beside Dad whenever possible. Their example is what laid the foundation of my faith.

When people ask me, “How did you become a preacher?” I know that many expect me to say that my dad was a preacher. Others assume I felt or heard some special call of God on my life. The truth is that I saw my parents take their faith seriously, especially my father – nothing more and nothing less.

I firmly believe that to have children who grow up to love and serve the Lord; the parents must make it an integral part of their life. People rarely stumble into commitment. They are usually guided by those with a deep commitment themselves.

Most people do not desire for their children or grandchildren to serve as staff in a Church. It can be a hard life. But the principle is still the same. If we want to raise the next generation to live with Jesus as their Lord and Savior in every area of their lives, then the people who surround them are a significant part of the story.

I will admit that following Jesus can be exhausting at times.

There is trying to be the spouse, parent, and child that God intended. We do those things while providing for our family’s physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.

Then there are all the good things that can be done. Serving at Church, loving our neighbors, and having a positive impact on society can be a full-time job.

Next, there are so many evils to avoid in society. Dark thoughts and ungodly things penetrate the mind and need to be pushed out. Bad habits and sins entangle our lives and need to be removed.

Finally, we need to learn the word of God. Taking time to read the Bible, pray, and worship is a significant aspect of every believer’s life.

None of those things take into account having fun, finding relaxation, and the need to recharge our personal batteries.

All these things take time and energy. It can be exhausting.

Often, our biggest problem is not living for God but trying TO BE God. We live and work as if everything in our lives, including our families, communities, and churches, depend on us.

One secret revealed in scripture is that we need to set aside a few minutes every day to “Be still and know that he is God” (Psalm 46:10). Take time to remember who it is you follow and his ultimate power.

Sure, some days will still be exhausting, but we can let go of the burden of thinking everything depends on us and find rest for our weary souls. The answer to an exhausting life is not to push away from God; rather, it is to lean into our faith, knowing that God will use whatever we do in his name for his glory and our good.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

As a pessimist, I tend to look for false teachers, shifty people, lies, ugly behavior, mean comments, and anything that might be harmful. It is a form of self-protection. I try to always live with my eyes wide open, searching for danger and preparing myself for the worst-case scenario.

While in prison, Paul tells the Christians in the city of Philippi to find the good and see the beauty in life. His final punch is to “think on such things.” Let positive thoughts and actions fill your mind.

My personality says the glass is half empty, but faith pushes us to see it as half full.

A significant part of following Jesus is transforming your beliefs and actions, and another part is transforming your perspective.

Leftovers. Scraps. Remains. Odds and Ends. Remnants. Whatever is left.

First piece. Best. Complete. Whole. Core. Nothing is lacking.

When you look at your time, talent, and treasure, what words best describe what you give to the Lord?

What if the people in your life treated you the way you treat them?

What if the people in your life served you the way that you serve them?

What if the people in your life talked about you the way that you talk about them?

What if the people in your life loved you the way that you loved them?

If your actions were the exact model for the way others behave toward you, would that make your life better or worse?

“Do as I do” is a powerful way to live.

These are the stories that shape our lives. So, it is essential to ask ourselves if the story is accurate. Do the statistics back it up? Does it align with the current data? Is there any way to prove that your core stories are right or wrong?

One example is the addition of traveling competitive sports teams to society. People do travel sports on weekends because they have told themselves a story that Johnny playing is the key to future success in sports; it will provide additional enjoyment to their life, and a scholarship waits at the end.

They are not listening to the data, which suggests none of those things are true. More sports typically equal less enjoyment, more injuries, and no greater chance of a scholarship. And for the followers of Jesus, it means the absence from Church worship, loss of connection to a faith community, and demonstrates a contradictory values system by the parents.

Stories shape worlds.

As a Christian, you need to make sure the story you tell yourself is backed by data and the word of God; if it isn’t, you need to find a different, more accurate story to guide your life.