Day 5: Other then self… (Luke 3:22) 01 Mar 09

I have been pretty disturbed by our self-parading culture. I know that I live in a society whereby I have to prove myself before others, and this culture has also found its way into the church. We will parade their busy schedule, appointment and meeting to proof our importance. If we are too shy to publicize to others, we will quietly present them before God, and well-pleased with our ‘self’.

The author challenges us to consider the ‘other’ before ‘self’, just like the three persons in the Trinity does it. How can we put the ‘other’ before ‘self’? Maybe we can start with a word of affirmation, instead of giving our ‘self’ praises, give other praise if we find him/her doing good. Maybe we can also give a gift, instead of reward our ‘self’ with things we buy, buy something for ‘other’ we know who need it as a reward for his/her good work. Maybe we can spend time with and for ‘other’, instead of spend time doing things we like, spend some extended time with ‘other’ who need a listening ear for him/her to express his/her joy. Maybe we can help ‘other’ to do some simple task, instead of only doing things for our ‘self’, do it for ‘other’ as he/she has been doing for others. Maybe we can give ‘other’ a hug or a pat on the shoulder, that touch may warm the heart of ‘other’ to compensate his/her late cold night hard works.

These are the five languages of love we can use to honor ‘other’. Who is this ‘other’? Anyone who deserves the honor, maybe start from our family members (especially your spouse if you are married), our colleagues, our church members, and anyone. When do we start? Start now.

Even start with people who did not do good or work hard, not even to mention about success. There are people in our church whereby nobody talks to on Sunday, no one to have lunch with after service, no small group to attend, and maybe the name is not even known to other people. Look out for them and honor them. These people are just like you and me, made in the image of God, loved and well-pleased by God. If we do not know how to love them, we do not really know our true ‘self’, we do not know our true identity.

Christian faith is a communal faith; we cannot know our ‘self’ unless we love ‘other’ and know God. Therefore, ‘other’ first, then ‘self’.

HHS…
Abel…