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The cause of so
many problems today are a result of selfishness--crime,
broken homes, abused children and other ills all essentially
boil down to someone putting their own needs and desires
above the welfare of another person.
The way to overcome
this natural human tendency is to first realize that
you can change, by the grace of God.
The second step
is even easier; be willing to change.
The path from selfishness
to selflessness is merely this--just think about your
self less. Instead of trying to satisfy your own feelings,
needs and desires first, focus on doing God's will by
following the leading of the Holy Spirit in your day
to day activities.
Romans
8:5
Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower
natures live only to please themselves, but those who
follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those
things that please God. (New Living Translation)
What pleases God?
To display these attributes
you will often have to put your own needs and desires on the
backburner. This doesn't mean that you won't be taken care
of or neglected. This isn't the case at all! As you focus
on helping others, God will focus on helping you. As you put
Him first, He will satisfy your needs. (Matthew 6:33 paraphrased)
You won't automatically
move from being selfish to selfless overnight. You will have
to do it on purpose. This may even mean that while you are
doing a selfless act you may have a bad attitude at first.
Look at this illustration Jesus gave as an example of obedience...
"Tell
me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He
went up to the first and said, 'Son, go out for the day
and work in the vineyard.' "The son answered, 'I don't
want to.' Later on he thought better of it and went. "The
father gave the same command to the second son. He answered,
'Sure, glad to.' But he never went. "Which of the two
sons did what the father asked?" They said, "The
first." (Matthew 21:28-32, The Message)
Just because you don't
feel like obeying God doesn't mean you can't. Do it anyway.
Go out of your way for a friend. Spend time doing a task you
don't enjoy because someone needs your help. Give money to
assist someone in need instead of buying something for you.
When you make an effort to do what's right even when you don't
"feel" like it, God will honor your effort and begin
to work on your heart. He will purify and cleanse your motives
until your thoughts become one with your actions, which means...
You do the right things
that please God for all the right reasons and you do them
with joy.
Developing a selfless
attitude is a life long process, but the results are worth
it--becoming more and more like Christ.
Activate the power
of prayer:
Pray for the ability to be selfless. This is what Mother Teresa,
the great missionary of Calcutta, did. She is remembered worldwide
for her service to others. Recite this prayer of Mother Teresa's
or say your own to begin cultivating a selfless attitude:
"O Jesus,
You who suffer, grant that today and everyday I may be able
to see You in the person of Your sick ones, and that by
offering them my care, I may serve You.
Grant
that, even if you are hidden under the unattractive disguise
of anger, of crime, or of mental illness, I may recognize
You and say, "Jesus, You who suffer, how sweet it is
to serve You."
Give
me, Lord, this vision of faith, and my work will never be
monotonous. I will find joy in fulfilling the needs, both
great and small, of the poor who suffer. Dear forgotten
one, you are even more beloved to me because you represent
Christ. What a privilege I am granted in being able to take
care of you.
O God,
since You are Jesus who suffers, be for me also a Jesus
who is patient, indulgent with my faults, who only looks
at my intentions, which are to love You and to serve You
in the person of each of these children of Yours who suffer.
Lord,
increase my faith. Bless my efforts and my work, now and
forever. Amen."
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