“You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world.”
(Ephesians 2:1)
What so many people don’t realize is that seeking to serve our own wants and desires is what separates us from God.
When we rely on our own efforts, follow our own designs, and seek after our own selfish ambitions, it creates a disconnect in us.
It’s inescapable that we are part of a larger world. When we look only toward serving ourselves, we’re in essence rejecting and neglecting the rest of the people around us. We start to see others as little more than obstacles or tools to be used.
Even if we deny it or refuse to acknowledge it, living in that way creates deep in our hearts and minds a level of guilt and shame that permeates our whole being. We become frustrated, hyper-sensitive and critical toward virtually anything and everything that isn’t delivering for us what we think we want. These reactions are a subconscious and inevitable defense mechanism, as we cast blame and point fingers, in attempt to distract us from our conscience.
We become dead inside, lacking in humility and compassion.
However, we live in a world that promotes self-seeking, self-reward, and self-gratification. It sells a lie: that material things will bring the satisfaction we crave. When it inevitably fails to do so, the only solution the world offers is to double down and be more selfish, buy more stuff, and believe the next thing will satisfy us.
It never does. The only thing that brings the true peace and serenity we’re after is love — and God is love.
The Bible offers a blueprint for living a loving life: be humble, generous, tolerant, gracious, kind, gentle, honest and patient, among a whole host of other great and noble character traits Jesus taught.
These things take intention, effort and work. Fortunately, we don’t have to go it alone. We have a willing life-line, ready to help us become better people the moment we sincerely ask.
It’s called prayer.
Photo by NEOSiAM 2021 from Pexels
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