I've come to a realization about many of the decisions we make. Whether in marriage (or divorce), deciding to switch jobs, blocking or unfriending someone on social media, whatever, most of it comes down to one thing: most of the decisions we make are all in the interest of self. I know, that should be obvious, but if we peel back the outer layer of this thought process, we might begin to see that this is a bit more complex than the simple "self-interest" answer for everything.
Most of us are born with an innate "self-preservation" instinct. We have a "fight" or "flight" instinct, and this is what we use to dictate our choices in life. It's all in the interest of self. What is more, since (at least in the United States) we live in a relatively comfort driven society (anything from 900 dollar phones, to 2000 dollar shoes, and it just goes up from there), we go beyond self-preservation in to a comfort driven mentality. Everything we deem "basic human rights" are things none of us are born with. In the church, especially, we miss out on the warning of Job: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
We sing that we will praise the Lord in the storm, but when the storm hits, we look for any shelter but the most High. Instead of complete surrender and dependence on the great I AM, we look to the government, to a new job, a new relationship, or a new (you fill in the blank). Instead of counting it all joy when we go through trials, we ask "Why me?" Jesus offers a counter-intuitive solution to our mess: "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25). Loved ones, never let us lose sight of the Master, and let's remember this existence is temporary. What really ultimately matters is that we hear "Well done" instead of "I never knew you." What also matters is that we bring as many as possible with us when we reach the Master's side.
This life is not about us, but all about Jesus. When shouldn't lose sight of that.
"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."-Ecclesiastes 12:13
24Then Jesus told his disciples,“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.25For whoever would save his lifegwill lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?27For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.28Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”- Matthew 16
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