OTHERS

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ―Philippians 2:4-5

Several years ago I was at our bank doing some business with my wife, Barb. At the time the bank was promoting the new Seattle Mariners baseball season with free bumper stickers. Barb noticed a badge the teller was wearing that displayed the theme of the Mariner promotion. Barb asked the teller if she could have one of the badges. She was not asking for one for herself. She wanted the badge to give to one of our daughters who loves the Mariners. The first thing Barb thought of was, “Joyce would love that badge.” (The teller was glad to get her a badge.)

I thought, “That’s just like my wife to always think about doing something for someone else.”  Barb is one of the most selfless people I know. This is the mind of Christ, to have an “others-focus,” instead of a “self-focus.”

Joy is spelled: “J”=Jesus, “O”=Others, “Y”=You. That is the way to JOY. Put Jesus first, Others second, and You last. If you change the order of the letters you lose the joy!

Lord, help me live from day to day

In such a self-forgetful way,

That even when I kneel to pray,

May my prayer be for others.

Others, Lord, Yes others―May this my motto be.

Help me live for others―That I may be like Thee!