Introduction
Do you have times when it feels like the joy has disappeared from your life? Do you feel indifferent, or even callous to things that once brought you joy? Whenever I find myself in this place, my response is to go to God and ask why. God’s answer, even though I may not like it, is often that I am being selfish. I am focused on my own wants, desires, and timeline instead of God’s will. How do we go from being wholly selfish to holy selfless?
Acting Like a Toddler
Any parent of a toddler can tell you that toddlers are both selfish and short-sighted. When things do not go their way they get upset. As a parent you know it’s best for them to not load up on sugar and skip their nap, even if they think otherwise. It is humbling when I realize that I am acting like a toddler towards God. God sees the big picture and knows what is best, even if we think otherwise.
What It Means to Be Truly Humble
What does it mean to be truly humble? Does serving at church every once in a while, going on a mission trip, or giving to the needy, mean we are truly humble? Those are all important things God commands us to do, but I am slowly learning that being truly humble is much more than that. We only find joy in serving God and others, when our service comes from a place of true humility. Paul addressed this same struggle in the Roman church when he said do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement.
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To be truly humble we must do two things: recognize our selfishness, and focus on God’s goodness.
Recognize Our Selfishness
Step one is recognizing that we are being selfish. We are often short-sighted and naive, like a toddler fighting sleep. Our human nature is to desire the things we think will satisfy us, and that we declare as good. However, God is a good father, and He patiently welcomes us back when we ask for forgiveness. We recognize our selfishness by recognizing God’s goodness. What areas of your life are you being selfish? Take a moment to pause and ask God: What areas of my life am I being selfish in? Be open to His answer.
When I become aware of my selfishness, I can start to shift my mindset towards God and towards others. But it is only when we focus on God’s goodness that we remain humble and can move from wholly selfish to holy selfless.
Focus on God’s Goodness
When we recognize our selfishness, and turn our hearts back towards God’s goodness, we become overwhelmed with thankfulness. We are thankful that even in our broken state, there is a good God who loves us and wants us. Greater still, He does not want us to remain in our broken state. He wants us to grow and become more like Himself. It is because of this goodness that Paul says, “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,” because we are transformed by the renewing of your mind.
2 It is from this place of focusing on God’s goodness that we can truly go from being wholly selfish to holy selfless.
Do Not Neglect Your Needs
Struggling to feel joyful does not guarantee you are being selfish. As humans we all have core needs. These include physical needs, like food and shelter, as well as emotional needs, like nurture and touch. There are times when we lose our joy because we are not caring for our core needs properly. God satisfies all of our needs and He will use many different means to provide the things we need. God is good and wants to care for you.
If you are feeling joyless, allow God’s goodness in every part of your life. Talk with someone safe, ask for a hug, eat a good meal, and take a nap. When you are cared for, you can care for others better.
Ways To Focus on God’s Goodness
There are many ways you can be refreshed by God’s goodness. Here are a few to get you started:
- Meditate on scripture.
- Have an honest, raw, conversation with God through prayer.
- Go for a walk and enjoy God’s creation.
- Slowly enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.
- Connect with a fellow Christ-follower.
Selfless Service
As we spend more time in God’s goodness, it will start to naturally overflow into the lives of those around us. We will no longer serve others out of obligation, or because of what we get from it. Instead, we serve so that we can share the love and goodness He has lavished on us. God takes our heart of stone and turns it into a bright, burning light of love for His glory! Once we have offered our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God,
3 we are free to serve others selflessly, because we are satisfied through God’s goodness.
Conclusion
If you are struggling to find joy because of selfishness, you can grow from wholly selfish to holy selfless by recognizing your selfishness, and focusing on God’s goodness. From the overflow of God’s goodness in your life you will be able to selflessly serve others.
What is one way you can focus on God’s goodness? What area can you start to serve with joy and holy selflessness?