Life is set up to be about ourselves. From making money, to material possessions, to life comparisons, to social media shouting our glory, to retirement accounts, to religious works, you name it and the danger of selfless living lurks. This seems to have picked up steam during the pandemic, as we have needed to place ourselves in silos protected from the outside world.

Ever feel empty, like you aren’t making a difference, like nothing matters? Or cynical, pointing out all that is wrong with the world, all the negatives in society, your job, or your family? Or full of fear, maybe the economy has you down, or your personal health, or worries about your future? All of these mental obstacles fill our minds, inadvertently causing us to focus on ourselves.

There is a remedy. Focus on others.

Jesus was a picture of a life lived for others. Take a day in his life from Luke 4. Having just began his ministry, Jesus is working his way through Galilee, teaching and caring for people.

One day, we find Jesus In Capernaum preaching in the synagogue. He heals a man with the “spirit of an unclean demon,” and the people are astonished. Jesus leaves the synagogue and goes to Peter’s house, where he finds his mom sick with a high fever. The people asked Jesus to heal her, and he stood over her, “rebuked the fever,” and it was gone. Then, at dusk, a healing ceremony breaks out.

Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. Luke 4:40-41

Early the next morning, he went to a deserted place, but the crowds found him and tried to keep him from leaving Capernaum. Then, chapter 5 begins with “the multitude pressing against him,” so he positions a couple of boats in Lake Gennesaret creating a little amphitheater to teach the people.

This was a picture of the life of Jesus. Constantly surround by people. Constantly ministering to others. He was 100% about others, completely selfless.

And His followers caught it. They all lived for others. The early disciples, Peter, James, John, etc. all devoted their lives to others. Paul was the picture of a man always moving around ministering to others. People in the early church in Acts 2 or 4 sold their possessions to help those in need. Pick any follower in the Bible, and you will see a picture of a life lived for others.

Maybe you think you do not have the ability or nothing to offer. Maybe you find it hard to get the engine started. There is someone, no doubt, that God has in your path today. Those mental obstacles just get in our way.

Talk to your neighbor. Send the text. Intentionally get that conversation started. Grab a few people and get the discussion going. Purposefully, spend a little one-on-time with your spouse or your child or your friend, just listening. Pick out a local ministry, there are tons, call them, and just ask how you can help. Think about that one person in need and act. All of these actions are right in front of us.

Focusing on others is not a race to be better than others. It is not a pedestal that we stand on for others to admire our work. These works will not make you a better follower of God or bring you closer to Him. Focusing on others has nothing to do with, well, you. In fact, the Bible teaches to do the good works quietly.

One of my good friends has a saying that he picked up somewhere along the way, “be intentional about your good intentions.” Every time I think of this saying, it penetrates my soul. Life is busy, or, at least I make it busy. Maybe it is misguided focus. We all have those good intentions that remain on the mental to-do list without ever seeing action.

So there is a remedy for those mental obstacles. Focus on others. Let today be the day you take that step.

Impact others. Live generously.

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