Free of Me
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 CSB
One January, the Lord gave me the word “selfless” as a focus for the year. I believe His purpose was to move me from selfishness to selflessness in the way I serve Him and interact with others. Why is it so easy to put "me first?”
In Sharon Hodde Miller’s book Free of Me, she writes, “Life is better when it’s not about you.” Those words remind us of a truth we often forget: the Bible is not primarily a book about us—it’s a book about the God who created us.
When we study Scripture looking for God rather than ourselves, we discover who we truly are. Our identity is not found in our accomplishments, relationships, or possessions, but in Him alone.
Miller describes several versions of God we may seek as we read Scripture: the self-help God, the self-serving God, the self-exalting God, the self-image God—or the one true God.
She also shows how we can make life revolve around ourselves in other areas, including family, appearance, possessions, friendships, calling, and church. Ironically, when we stop making everything about ourselves, we gain a healthier perspective of all those things.
One way we become free of ourselves is through praise. True worship recognizes that God’s character, not our preferences, is the center of worship. Miller writes, “There is a key difference between the worship of God and superficial distractions. One is an escape; the other is a return.” Rather than neglecting ourselves, she encourages us to redirect our focus outward—to God and to others.
I am still learning what it means to live selflessly, and I suspect I will be for the rest of my life. How is God teaching you to become more focused on Him and less focused on yourself?
Father, remind us of Jesus’ selflessness as He walked on this earth.
Chris Adams
