Whose Interests?
By Jen Wollner
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…”
Philippians 2:4-5 (NIV)
By Jen Wollner
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…”
Philippians 2:4-5 (NIV)
My husband is a patient
man who rarely complains about anything. One of his particularly selfless acts
speaks volumes about his character: He gets up with our “early risers” everyday
and has never once griped about it! Now, if you are a morning person, this
might not seem like a big deal to you. But, if you are a night-owl like I,
well, it’s a precious gift to be able to stay in bed a few extra minutes, if
the schedule allows. But, it’s more than that. See, we often go to bed at the
same time. Some nights he even stays up later than I do. So, it’s not that he’s
an “early to bed, early to rise” kind of guy. He would love to stay in bed and
catch some more Z’s, too, but he doesn’t…and he never grumbles, never asks me
to get up instead and never complains about how tired he is. He just does it,
attending to the needs of his children and, in turn, honoring his wife.
We all know people who serve tirelessly, looking out for the interests of someone beyond themselves. The soldier who risks life and limb to defend the freedoms of a nation. The friend who clears her busy schedule to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. The missionary who gives up personal comfort and safety to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the poor and needy. The wife who cares for months, or years, for her ailing husband.
I’m ashamed to admit that my own attitude is too often dictated by my moods, circumstances and selfish desires. I’m eternally grateful that we have not only a forgiving God, but also the living example in Jesus Christ of what kind of sacrificial attitude is pleasing to the Lord. And, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can rise above our selfish nature and add others’ needs into the mix.
I’m so grateful to my husband for the ways he cheerfully “looks to the interests of his family.” And, until our children are teenagers who sleep the morning away, he will have many more opportunities to display a Christ-like attitude in our home!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What do you find yourself grumbling about? How can you change your attitude about this situation and, instead, be a better representative of Christ?
2. Who in your life has put your interests before his/her own? Write a thank you note to that person.
FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3:17
We all know people who serve tirelessly, looking out for the interests of someone beyond themselves. The soldier who risks life and limb to defend the freedoms of a nation. The friend who clears her busy schedule to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. The missionary who gives up personal comfort and safety to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the poor and needy. The wife who cares for months, or years, for her ailing husband.
I’m ashamed to admit that my own attitude is too often dictated by my moods, circumstances and selfish desires. I’m eternally grateful that we have not only a forgiving God, but also the living example in Jesus Christ of what kind of sacrificial attitude is pleasing to the Lord. And, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can rise above our selfish nature and add others’ needs into the mix.
I’m so grateful to my husband for the ways he cheerfully “looks to the interests of his family.” And, until our children are teenagers who sleep the morning away, he will have many more opportunities to display a Christ-like attitude in our home!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What do you find yourself grumbling about? How can you change your attitude about this situation and, instead, be a better representative of Christ?
2. Who in your life has put your interests before his/her own? Write a thank you note to that person.
FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3:17
Jen
and her husband are busily parenting three elementary-aged children. She serves
on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.
