Look out for others

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 BSB

In a world where we are not only told to "look out for number one" but applauded for it, it was quite refreshing to read the story of 14-year-old runner Susan Bergeman. This teen Cross Country runner pushes her brother in a wheelchair so they can compete together. Susan Bergeman, 14, says running cross county races together has strengthened an already tight bond with her 15-year-old brother Jeffrey. “He loves running,” the Chippewa Falls High School runner says. “I think it helps me get even closer to my brother.” Susan was a year old when Jeffrey, then 22-months-old, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest that deprived his brain of oxygen for 20 minutes. Jeffrey was left with severe brain damage and a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. “They’ve always had this very close relationship and she’s never really seen him any other way,” Jess Bergeman, the mother of Susan and Jeffrey, says. “They’ve grown up together and this has always been her normal.”  And get this, not only does Susan push Jeffrey, she can't compete in an official capacity (per the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association rules) so her race times are neither logged nor counted like those of the other runners. Talk about laying aside selfish ambition. 

And you know, when it comes to "looking out for number one," the Bible is clear that we are to be humble and "consider others more important" than ourselves; something that is completely contrary to the world's view but is the exact thing that will demonstrate the love of Christ to a world so desperately in need of seeing it and feeling it. You see, Jesus came to serve, not to be served. He did nothing out of "selfish ambition or empty pride" and neither should we. Can you imagine how our world would look if we all adopted this attitude? If we were more concerned with the feelings and welfare of "others" than our own? 

So in a world where you can be anything... strive to be like Jesus my friend. He served as the ultimate example of what it means to consider others more important than ourselves. Let us follow that example step by step so the world would come to know Him by our actions. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that "looking out for number one" goes directly against the way a believer should think and act. Give us a heart like Jesus that we might love and serve as He did, putting others needs and feelings before our own. Remind us Lord that only what we do for You will last. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!