#1

We’ve all heard the expression that we are supposed to look out for #1, which means that we are supposed to look out for ourselves first and foremost. This is the most natural way to live; we all want to make sure that our needs and wants are met, so usually we have to be the ones to meet them.

But consider how Philippians 2:4-5 tells us to live: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

We are not just supposed to consider our own needs, but we should focus on the needs of others. And who is our example? Jesus Christ. We never see Him seeking to take care of Himself, but instead we see Him fasting, being tired, homeless, without luxury, and laying down His life for others. This passage isn’t telling us to be homeless, but to have the same mindset as Jesus in putting the needs of others ahead of our own.

Jesus told His disciples that the two most important things they can do are love God and love others (Mathew 22:37-39) and I Corinthians 13:5 says that love does not seek itself.

So maybe you find yourself doing all the things you think will make you happy, but at the end of the day you still have no joy in your life. That is because joy comes only after we put God #1 and everyone else ahead of ourselves.

Who is #1 in your life?