Keep Your Focus on Serving Others

You can all chill. 😎 We will not talk about the recent election in today's Fist Bump. However, this week, we did take time to pray for unity in our country and for God to keep HIS hand firmly on our great nation. No matter where your "politics" lead you, we are ALL children of ONE God, united in our common faith and belief in our creator.

This week, we have been challenging ourselves with the question: What is at the heart of our motives? Are our decisions and choices focused more on us, our ego, our needs, and our recognition, or are they focused on giving God the glory and more on the needs of others vs. ourselves?

Do not get confused. We are not discussing our motives when engaging in legitimate competitive situations (sports and business). Our focus and motive are to play to win. We are talking about how we approach the rest of our lives and relationships with others. 

God has created each of us uniquely with gifts that we are to use to serve HIM and others. Are we using them to benefit ourselves? If so, that is NOT God's plan. He wants each of us to use our gifts in a way that serves others.

"Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit, and serve the LORD. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Wow, we sure do not want to be "slothful." We suspect that is not a word any of us would like to be used to describe us.

OK, guys, let's face it: Given that we live in a fallen world and have a sinful nature, it is easy to focus on ME! Men's competitive spirit does not make it easy not always to win or accept that it is NOT all about us!

Especially when it comes to meaningful relationships, we can fall into the trap of putting ourselves before others. This usually does not result in a good outcome. Marriage 101 certainly tells each of us that it is a NO!

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves" Romans 12:10

At the heart of this is our motives. We find doing a gut/heart check on our motives is important. The infamous WHY" question we should all ask more often before we speak or act?

• WHY are we saying that?

• Why are we doing this?

• Why do I want this?

• Why are we making that decision vs. another?

• Are our motives RIGHT?  

• Are our answers to the WHY question focused on how God created us to put others before ourselves?  

This week, we thought of multiple times when we answered the WHY questions by putting ourselves front and center. It was about us getting, recognition, about us getting caught up in gossip and saying something that was not honoring God. We can all fall into that trap. The evil one loves it when we do!! He throws gas on the fire.

As men of God, we must stay strong. We cannot be sloths! We must always pull God and HIS wisdom into our WHY questions. We were reminded of these words from Philippians.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, BUT in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others" Philippians 2:3-4

As we head into this new week, can we ask the WHY question as we step into our lives each day? Are our motives right? Are we focusing on the right things and putting God and others before ourselves?

We are on this journey with you and pray for each of you daily that God will meet you where you need him most. Never hesitate to reach out to us if we can support or help you as we continue our faith journey together.