“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:19–21
Before we voted last week, I saw a political cartoon with these four words standing tall in BOLD print; “I, ME, MINE and MYSELF”. They could have been chiseled out of a mountain next to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota; each letter seemingly chiseled out of granite. At the base of this strange ‘monument’ were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people with their arms held up high, as if worshiping at a shrine. And then, in very small letters, this caption appeared at the bottom of the editorial cartoon: “Speaking of American cults…” And written around the border of this picture were four familiar lines from well-known commercials that we all can recite: “Have it your way”, “Do yourself a favor”, “You owe it to yourself” and “You deserve a break today”. It’s all about me. I-me-mine-myself (IMMM).
Ron, you probably have never been caught up in the IMMM philosophy from our culture, but it has grabbed at me a few times. Satan makes it seem so wonderful to be the epic center of our small world. Many living in our culture applaud the IMMM philosophy in subtle as well as overt ways. We put the gifted people on a pedestal and secretly and publicly worship at their shrine; concerts, athletic stadiums, the silver screen and television. And we make every effort to ‘look out for number one’ at all cost.
This sinful world tells us that we ‘deserve’ so much. I saw a political cartoon near the end of October that had a child dressed in a donkey costume and holding a large paper bag with the word ‘FREE’ on it. He wasn’t saying ‘trick or treat’ but shouting “I want FREE healthcare, FREE childcare and FREE college tuition”. I deserve free stuff? No, I don’t. We seem to be spinning out of control. We are living in an age of selfishness. Many of the occupants of this “IMMM” era can’t get enough of the self-gratification and tend to get very uncomfortable when God begins to point us in a direction that we don’t like.
On this Monday, please give thanks that Jesus didn’t consider the IMMM philosophy while carrying His Cross up Calvary for us. It’s not about me. It’s not about us. It’s all about Jesus. When you start your time clock today, consider who is sending you to be His child in this sin-filled world.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay