Selfies / Mrs Susan Ballard

Mrs Susan Ballard

Pastor's Wife

Grace Baptist Church 

Marion, IA

SELFIES

So many people today are obsessed with selfies and posting their photos of where they are at day/night, what they're doing, who they're with, and anything else they think is worthy of posting on social media. It gives me the impression that they think their actions are important enough that we all want to know what they do every waking moment. Because of social media, there just isn't anything sacred or private anymore.

I'm a more private person myself, although I do post photos from time to time, mostly for my family and close friends. I guess I became very selfish and comfortable with being a loner from growing up as an only child until my dad remarried later. Even though I am a pastor's wife, if I had my way, I'd get to church about 3 minutes before it starts and leave right away as soon as it's over! I know, it's very selfish, but that's how I feel inside. I'm not independently wealthy, I'm independently "selfy"! And, if I'm around a lot of people for several days in a row, I get really anxious and sometimes even get a headache! I realize I need some alone time then!

However, I have learned over the past 25 years here in Iowa to get out of my comfort zone and talk to people, build relationships, and give of myself to try to be a help and a blessing to our church family and visitors that attend our services. I don't think there's anyone else that could love my church family more than I do, except the Lord and my husband!

I've really prayed for the Lord to help me in this area, to open my eyes to look and really see the needs of others. Otherwise, I get caught up in MY own little world, living in MY rut, doing what's on MY schedule. But when I do this, I'm missing out on the blessing of making a friend, showing some love, building relationships, and discipling others for Christ.

How are you doing with this in your church? Do you always sit or hang out with the same people or group (clique)? Do you have a hard time letting others into your circle? Do you prefer to be alone? Here are a few things that God used to help me and I pray they will encourage you as well!

Why should we fight our own selfishness?

Jer 45:5 "And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not;..."

Phil 2:21 "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." All men (women) seek great things for themselves, but God says this is not what we should be seeking. It's selfish!

II Cor 5:15 "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."

When we are selfish, we are not living for HIM who died for us! We should be living unto HIM, seeking what HE directs us to seek.

Jn 5:13 "Greater love hath no man this this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." How great is your love for your friends? Do you help when needed?

Mt 20:28 "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." With Jesus as our great example, we are to minister. And not only to a few chosen ones, you know, those who dress right, look right, smell nice? But to many...yes including the ones who are not always lovely and easy to love. Those who need more time, more investment from us.

Mt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Our good works may be seen by the lost or backslidden and cause someone to draw near to God because they see Jesus in us. In turn, this brings glory to God! How awesome is that, that by just doing what we as Christians are supposed to do, we can bring glory to our Heavenly Father! Amazing!

Rom 15:1-2 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification." We are to carry one another's burdens, lift one another up! And who is our neighbor? Everyone around us is our neighbor! Next door, across town, the cashier, the bank teller, etc. Dr. Hyles used to say, "Be kind to everyone because everyone is having a tough time."

Jms 3:13 "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." If we have or want wisdom and knowledge, we must show others by our life (conversation) and testimony of good works!

Lastly, I Cor 10:33 "Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." This is what it all comes down to for us. While I'm staying to myself, minding my own business, not necessarily doing wrong, I'm letting a whole host of my "neighbors" die and go to hell. My selfishness is putting a stumbling block before others, covering my light that should be shining bright so others would see the path to Christ and Heaven.

Please seek God's help and direction and learn to reach out to those who are longing for someone to tell them the truth. They're waiting for the answers they're seeking, and we have them in God's Word! Let's go out of our way to show them His love!