Think of Me

Following up on my previous post...it's a challenge for me to think outside of myself sometimes. To be honest, after 5 years in America, I have selfishly thought more about myself than when before I came.

America has showed me how selfish I am. In recent years, I have thought of myself as:

- more distinguished than others (so worship me)
- more experienced than others (so respect me)
- smarter, wiser, and more intelligent (so listen to me)
- more needful than others (so give to me)
- more humble than others (so follow my example)
- more important than others (so prefer me)

And then sometimes, and sad to say, less often than it should be, I am reminded that I'm...

- not any more distinguished than a convict
- not any more experienced than an infant
- not any smarter, wiser, or more intelligent than a fool or a failure
- not any more needful than those who seem to have everything
- not any more humble than Mother Theresa
- not any more important than the homeless

Sometimes, I look at myself and see the sorry state I am in. I am more consumed with acquiring worldly things than being consumed with Christ! I have forgotten what it means to have compassion for others, and have placed myself above all things!

I am sorry. I apologize. I have not been a good example of one who follows hard after God. I have forgotten what true religion means: to look after orphans and widows. To extend help to the poor. To reach out in love to those who do not know Him. I must remember to think of others above myself: this is what I am called to do.