Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.” Matt 16:24
Selfishness Epidemic – Cross Series Part 2
Go to PART 1
When Jesus told his disciples to take up their cross, he had not yet died on one. From the vantage point of looking back on history, we might be able to say that we knew what he meant. But his followers may not have completely understood what he was talking about. Even though Jesus had begun to hint at the future, his friends and disciples couldn’t foresee his death.
Like we said yesterday, the most significant thing you can create is your own life. And to pick up your cross and follow Jesus is the renewal of your true self, not the neglect of your life. It’s difficult for us in the Western world to comprehend this. In our culture, we often accuse those who take “time out” for themselves, and those who are not working to the bone, as being selfish. We are not good at defining the difference between good and bad selfishness.
And yes, there is a difference.
I’ve read, heard and been told numerous times that in Mandarin there are two words for selfish, whereas in English, we only have one. The first word means “Doing something that benefits you,” while the other means, “Doing something that benefits you at the expense of others.”
We lump both notions into selfishness. But here’s the thing: doing something that benefits you, that is born out of self-care and not greed (good selfishness is not an excuse to spoil yourself), will always benefit others too. Here’s the second thing: it’s not always fun.
Good selfishness sounds awesome at first… but when you dig into it, it can quickly become uncomfortable.
It looks like discipline.
Saying no to the wrong things to say yes to the right things.
It includes the pain of integrity.
It takes strength and courage.
It leads you through your fears.
It marries you to your destiny.
It means that when you’re sick and hurt and abused, you get help, you talk it through, you face it. You own it.
It is your responsibility.
To turn from the selfishness of living a life that only benefits you, is to turn to a life where being your true self impacts the world around you for good, sometimes even at your personal (bad selfish) expense.
The most significant thing you can ever do with your life is to daily turn from bad selfishness, to do the work of living – self-care, giving, facing the path set before you – and be the best you-you can be to benefit those around you and fulfil your unique destiny.
Go to Part 3 – Taking Back Your Life »
