Daily Power #294

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves. (Phil. 2:3)

Several years ago, I agreed to go with my friend John to look at a house he and his wife might buy. After touring the inside, we headed to the back yard and were looking up at the roof when we heard a low, ferocious growl behind us.

We spun around just in time to see one of the original hounds of hell bearing down on us. It looked like the offspring of Marmaduke and Cujo with a little Rottweiler thrown in. I’d like to say I stood my ground and used my God-given talent as a dog whisperer to tame the savage heart of the evil beast.

But that’s not what happened.

You know how athletes push off to get a strong start? That’s what I did. Only what I pushed off of was my friend John.

Now, to hear him tell it, I shoved him to the ground and ran like a five-year-old. Reflecting on it now, I can see how he might have interpreted it that way. Certainly I did put both my hands on him, and I did push him toward the dog—accidentally, of course—with my full strength. But for whatever it’s worth, I wasn’t pushing John toward the dog; I was pushing myself away from it.

If I’m honest, I’m selfish. I’m committed to protecting myself. I wasn’t worried about John, just myself.

If you want to connect with others and build strong relationships, you must put others first. Just maybe not in the face of a big mean dog.

Power Lift

It’s hard to put others first, Lord, so give me your strength to consider their welfare above my own.