Dying to Self Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Today I decide to leave a Flickr group (a discussion group, where you can also post photos - they are really quite fun). The reason? Discord. Arrogance. Arguments. People starting discussions - even innocent ones like what music are you listening to these days - and negative comments begin flying.
Wanna know the sad part? The group was a Christian Photography group. Yes, you heard me right.
What I can’t get over is that a faith that promotes humility, service to others, saying things to build others up - dying to self - often falls so far short. Why?
I really think it’s because dying to self is just so, so hard to do. We live in a society that is all about me. We love to be right. It’s all about self. It’s the world we live in. It’s how we were raised (at least in recent generations). And it’s so darn hard to leave behind.
But Christians are supposed to be different. We are supposed to leave worldly things behind and focus on our Saviour. Jesus should be our example. Jesus. The one who died for us all - the ultimate sacrifice. A man empty of self and filled with God.
As I was reading the negative comments in the Christian discussion group, a few scriptures came to mind. But you know the main words that kept sticking in my head? It was a line spoken by baby Thumper in the movie Bambi.
“If you can’t say nothin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.” (imagine a squeeky little rabbit voice)
Doesn’t it seem like the world would be a better place if we all followed that advice?
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” - Ephesians 4:29