The Epidemic That Threatens...

Be careful, there is an epidemic spreading throughout the world! I am not referring to a disease listed in the CDC or World Health Organization! I am referring to a spiritual impediment called: "self!" Yes, you heard right..."self!" It is scary to think that "self" could be such an obstruction to spiritual vitality and health! Friend, when we allow self-centeredness, self-reliance, and self-confidence to run amok in our lives we are in a serious mess spiritually! "Self" that is uncontrolled will completely take over and erode true love and compassion for others! In fact, in our own life it can turn a deaf ear to the Holy Spirit and reject the straight and narrow road, for a life of ease and vain pursuits! Can you see the sign? It reads "This Way for seeking self glory, power, and earthly pleasure," instead of the long and narrow road of self-sacrifice, humility and spiritual worship! Here's a question for us, should we be self confident? No...should we be confident? Yes! Where and who we place our confidence in is key! I am not confident in my own ingenuity, my own wisdom or talents! I am confident in my Heavenly Father and my trust is in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! You see when I surrender my life, my will and commit it to His care, He then empowers me and strengthens me and gives me love and grace for others! The reality is that anything and everything that is good in me is 100% from Him! You see, if we are self-promoting, and self-aggrandizing then we are missing God's blessing in our lives big time! God blesses us so we can be a conduit of blessing to others! Friend, our Heavenly Father has a plan and a purpose for each of us...is "self" standing in the way? The "self" epidemic is exasperated by this culture today, where everything is designed to gratify the instant compulsions from within! We must resist the urge to splurge on self and instead fill Christ's example and each day take up our cross and follow our Lord! In the Gospel of Mark we read, that after Jesus informed His disciples of what He was about to endure (suffer) Peter "rebuked" Jesus and tried to convince Him that He didn't have to suffer! Thankfully for you and me Jesus was selfless and sinless, and He didn't take Peter's advice! Mark 8:33 but turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interest, but man's." Dear Father please help us to be more like you! Amen! Thanks for letting me share, Randy Young