Starving Self

Day 4: On the road...no make-up...no shower

Last night I returned home from a trip to New Mexico. It was a unique trip because we left on Friday, arrived at destination on Saturday, and returned home on Sunday and Monday. Without going into the details of the trip, the purpose was to serve others.

I thought it was so fitting that as I was stressing last week about what I would eat on this trip and how I would "make it" that I got this comment on one of my posts:

When I stop thinking about me, me, me and start thinking about the person who is still suffering and what I can do to assist them on their journey, I am doing God's will. And well? That keeps it all in perspective.

This is a perfect example of why your comments of encouragement mean so much to me! God used that little bit of wisdom to help me throughout my whole trip. Every time my thoughts wandered to food I remembered Kate's comment. Thanks, friend.

The anecdote for overeating or an obsession with food (both extreme forms of selfishness) is to think of someone else. There is always someone struggling more than me. There is always someone hungrier than me. There is always someone giving up WAY more than me.

There are so many people in need. They may be in need of food...money...a friend? The needs are many, but the servants are few. Why is that? God always has our best interests in mind as he guides us and commands us. When He tells us to love others as we love ourselves, I think He knows just how much we will be blessed--always more than the ones we are trying to "help" and always beyond our expectations.

In the spirit of the season, I want to encourage all of us to seek out ways to serve, love and focus on others. This may in the form of volunteering, forgiving, accepting or it may simply be taking enough time away from basting the turkey (or counting your points) to focus on your loved ones who are living, breathing reasons to forget self. "Self" is what got us all into the hefty shape we are in. Most times it takes starving self to feed a soul...I know my self could stand to starve for a while.

Romans 12:9-13 NIV
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-10 The Message
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Much love,