We've become friends with a hotel manager in a Croatian village where we've stayed several times. During one conversation, she said one nationality of guests always complains that the hotel doesn't have enough TV stations in their language.
"They never think that when I visit their country, there is no television programming in Croatian. So why do they expect more than three channels in their language here?"
By nature, we human beings are self-centered. We have an upside-down perspective.
We think our desires are necessities, and we feel we're entitled to special treatment. If we don't get what we think we "deserve," we feel like "victims."
But God commands Christians to "put off" these selfish, human desires:
"Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds...." Ephesians 4:22-24
"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4
If we want to grow in our faith and make the gospel attractive to others, we need to flip our perspective.
Today, let's each take some time and ask God if there are any areas where we need to exchange our desires for His (Philippians 2:12-13).
--------------
Bible Love Notes
We do have the mistaken idea that we are privileged characters, don't we. . . :)
ReplyDeleteA friend used the word "entitlement" in a overseas-missions conversation this week, so I've been pondering some of what you talked about within that context....but I am often guilty here in the U.S., too. Thank you, as always, for making me think, check my heart, and go to the Word of God for truth!
ReplyDelete