Other interests vs. my own

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4 New International Version, ©2010

I used to think this verse meant that you shouldn't look to your own interests, but that you should only look out for others. As a teenager I followed this misguided interpretation whole-heartedly, even neglecting my own health, happiness and spiritual training, and in the end it did me in. Everything in life, I'm coming to find, is not black and white--rather it's a balance, a juggling of many sides. It's much harder to see the world in grey, but in the end, much more rewarding, much truer and closer to the heart of God.

God's Zeal

"The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this."

Isaiah 9:7b ESV

This phrase is not uncommon in Scripture ... I like it. It means that God is enthusiastic about stuff too, that He doesn't just sit on His haunches and occasionally mix the pot of destiny, but He is actively and enthusiastically making all things good.

Isaiah & Mr. Holmes

"And he said, "Go, and say to this people:

"'Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'

Make the heart of this people dull,

and their ears heavy,

and blind their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed.""

Isaiah 6:9-10 English Standard Version

This is so true! How many things do I see but do not see, hear but it goes in one ear and out the other. This was actually one of Sherlock Holmes's favorite sayings, "You see, but you do not observe," meaning that merely laying your eyes on something and actually mentally taking in its significance or not the same thing.

May I see and observe, hear and understand, all that God is teaching me.