Living an Other-Centered Life

These days, we seem to be inundated by immorality, with rampant violence, sexually explicit material, and selfish lifestyles blatantly confronting us through our media (television to video games to internet). It is easy to complain about the lack of manners in young people, the rudeness of drivers, or some slipup we observe in a Christian person we respect. It is easy to let the ways of this world get us down, but, even though it might be more difficult, we can find greatness in small things that sometimes take a bit of observation.

Saturday night I attended the annual teen Christmas party hosted by Joe and Heather Waters. About twenty teens attended. With rain threatening, we Christmas-caroled via church bus rather than hay trailer, making half a dozen singing stops, some wet and some not, at church members’ front doors. Of course, caroling is a favorite pastime of teenage boys, second only to shopping with their moms. (We did receive a little encouragement to opt for early pizza back at the Woods). The pizza eating ultimately took place, and the teens “shared” gifts afterwards by playing dirty Santa.

I found myself observing the evening’s goings-on. One teen in particular caught my attention and held it. The first thing I noticed was when this teen greeted Teresa and me, we were addressed as “Mrs. Teresa” and “Mr. Dean.” This teen brought friends to the party, and they meshed comfortably with the group. I noticed during the caroling that this teen was always up front at the member’s door, singing out, making eye contact, and greeting the family with handshakes and hugs.

Enthusiastically. Not in an attention-desiring, but rather a just-happy-to-be-there way. Young and old enjoyed being around this one. The level of personal “popularity” appeared to be a non-issue to this teen. This young person was acting naturally and being thoughtful of others. No ego or succumbing to peer-pressure; the teen stood out. As the party broke up and teens left for home, this one thanked the hosts for the party.

Now that I think of it, we have so many members who have this attitude of Christ, who are living an other-centered life, who show love and respect for others because of what God has done for them. No pride. Difficult to notice, unless we are looking. Small, great things. What examples to each of us! I was encouraged by this teen. I won’t forget it, but instead, as I remember, will count this as a gift from God. Because of this teen, I want to do better. Look for more from this young person. Great job, mom and dad!

Thanks, Bible class teachers, youth minister, mentors, friends, and members. Thanks, Lord, for my Christmas gift. I will keep it always. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Philippians 2:5-11
…do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14