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If Everyone Agrees

Yesterday I posted an article by Group Magazine editor Rick Lawrence. Group Magazine is basically catnip for youth workers. It's been bringing good stuff for years. Rick Lawrence is like a guru.

It struck me that so many people say that life is not, nor should it be, about us. This begs the question; why are so many still living as if it is?

If people agree that life is better when we give...when we focus on others....when we show love in its truest forms....  Then why? Why do so many find it so difficult to take the focus off of ourselves. If you've read more than one post by me, you know I heartily, but sadly, include myself in this.

I've preached for years to my youth group that life is not about them or I. It's about Jesus. But I still find that, when I am discouraged or bitter or angry, it is oftentimes due to my focus. I say oftentimes, because I acknowledge that these things can also be caused by others.

Many times the struggle remains the same as Paul described in Romans 7.
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
Paul can wax eloquent all he wants about our two natures, and I agree with the truth. But the fact remains that I still see a whole lot of 'I' in there. Me. Me. Me.

So although it's been said many times, many ways....let's get over ourselves.
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