Live outside of the “self” box. Find a cause greater than you.

I have recently discovered, well, technically stolen a new life’s phrase. It use to be: Maya Angelou’s, “You can be in pain, but you don’t have to be a pain” (this is now my number two). My new number one is this: “There has to be a cause greater than yourself” (Pastor Bob Coy). My Pastor said this at the mid-week service on Wednesday. The statement has been circling around in my head from the moment I heard it. Why? This sadly, is not our mentality. Normally the greatest cause in our world is, US. Today I had an incident (one that I can’t really discuss because it involves someone else’s story), but the point is that this person is lonely and in need of contact, “REAL” meaningful human contact. But because of her clingy personality we tend to shy away from her. I talked to her for a bit today and this thought stuck in my mind, “I need to see her as a cause greater than myself”. If I take the time to see her the way God sees her. If I take the time to give real contact and not the superficial kind, maybe she will be one step closer to not feeling so alone. We can have millions of friends, and be the most popular person in the room. We can be surrounded by people, but if none of it is “REAL” we will be sad and lonely. So instead of being focused on just yourself, find a cause GREATER than you.  Live on the outside of the “self” box.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

So what am I thankful for today? Personality check and life phrases.