"THIS IS WHAT I WAS MADE FOR!"

When is the last time you breathed those words quietly to yourself? Or maybe it might be better to ask, have you ever said those words to yourself? Can you imagine what it would be like to be able to be able to say those words every single day? I don't think there is anyone reading this who wouldn't want to say those words more often, but do we really believe that anyone can really live this way? Is it possible for ordinary people to live extraordinary lives of fulfillment?

The world offers an answer: Take car of #1, It's all about you and If you don't take care of yourself, who will? As one author put it: "Arm yourself with self-soothing strategies for today and self-securing tactics for tomorrow." Think for a second about the most self-obsessed, self-focused person you've seen in a movie, that you've read about or that you may have known. Now, get up and go look in the mirror and see if you see anything similarities between you and that person as you look at your reflection. You may not be as attractive as a Jerry McGuire or as ugly as the Grinch but I bet if you are honest, there are some aspects of your attitudes, thoughts and actions that are eerily similar.

Jesus comes along with a completely different solution to our self-focusing tendency, but it may not be what you think. Jesus didn't come along and say "THOU SHALT NOT BE SELFISH!" He didn't need to, because that was supposedly already taken care of in the 10 commandments. Being self-focused and selfish is wrong and we already know that. Jesus came along to give us something good that will overcome the bad. Essentially Jesus says, "THOU SHALT BE SELFLESS!" He didn't just say it, He modeled it and then promised to equip us to follow His lead.  In order to follow His lead, you are going to grab your Bible and read.  If you don't have one handy, you can always type the scripture references that I give in www.biblegateway.com and read it there.

1. Read Philippians 2:3-8.  What strikes you most about Jesus' example as a servant?

2. Read John 13:3-17.  What is the significance of verse 3?  How does "knowing where He came from" affect what He did?  Compare that to your own situation: how does your identity as a Christian influence your willingness and ability to serve others?

3. Think practically about your own life. What opportunities for everyday servanthood exist already? Who do you regularly encounter that you could serve in some way?

4. Read Matthew 16:25. What's difficult about taking Jesus at His word? What do you stnad to "lose" if you choose to serve Jesus and others?

3 Days Til Sunday Challenge

THURSDAY - All About Others Day - Wake up and read the scriptures one more time before you start your day and then focus your energy all day on serving others. Be obesessed with finding opportunities to offer a helping hand, to listen attentively, to be actively concerned with other people's wellbeing. Get coffee, buy donuts, offer to carry something, open a door and go the extra mile with people. At the end of the day, do a gut-check: What have you lost? What have you gained?

FRIDAY - All About Me Day - To heighten your learning experience, I want you to wake up Friday and think about all the stuff you want or have to do that day. Focus all your efforts on nothing but self-gratification (caution: the pastor will not bail you out of jail so avoid major destructive behaviors). Every chance you have, put yourself first and in the center. Be demanding, asking the world to revolve around you. Push your way to the front of the line. Disappear when it's time for the dirty-work, the menial tasks. At the end of the day, step back and make an assessment. Are you becoming closer to God and others or more isolated? Is your life fuller or emptier? Do you feel fulfilled or frustrated?

SATURDAY - You Choose Day - If you knew that today was like the movie Groundhog Day and that you would be trapped to repeat it for weeks, what model would you choose? Thursday or Friday?

The statement that began this article should be edited a bit as we close. I think everyone of us should take a look at our life, our idea of fullfilment and ask the simple question: