It's Not About You
What if it was all about you? I have read 2 books that are complete juxtaposition of one another. The first one is, that many of you have probably already read, The Purpose Driven Life. The other is a book that is intended for "young readers" titled The Hunger Games. It is premiering March 23rd as a movie (which my wife and are going to see).
One book begins with this line, "It's not about you." The other encourages us to live for ourselves, preserve our way of life, and exploit others for enjoyment. While there are many that equate The Hunger Games with the Circus Maximus of the Roman empire, I think there are many applications to our own world and time.
Katniss and the Capitol
The world of Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of the books and of the upcoming movie, is a world where the masses are kept alive by the hand of the government known as "the Capitol". This happens with food rations that all revolve around participation by the districts in the "Hunger Games." The horror of the tale is that each district had to deliver two teens called "tributes" to the Hunger Games. When a district won the games, it was a huge honor and extra food for any district that came out as champion. The problem is, in order to win, they must kill 23 other teens. So, it was anything but "not about you." It was all about you and your survival. The beauty of The Hunger Games is that what was intended to bring out selfishness and barbarism actually brings out the best in Katniss. Once she got her eyes off of herself and onto others, the entire dynamics of the game changed.
The Benefits of Caring
The tributes were told to win at all costs to keep themselves alive. Many of you have taken the challenge to change your world in 52 days. That too will cost. It will cost time...energy...resources...and finances. But the rewards will far outweigh any costs you might have to bear. Hear is what it takes, you chosing to stop looking so much at yourself and have chosen to have an explosion of care and see a burden for the those hurting. The challenge now is to experience a burden and develop a mission statement that defines that same burden for others.
Your Care for Others Cares for Jesus
Jesus places a great burden on us by equating our care and love for the hurting of our world with our care and love for Him. This is how He tells us how we can care:
Who do you hurt for? Who are you willing to place your comfort and convenience on hold for? Maybe its the girl who has been sold into slavery. It could be the pastor who is being persecuted for his faith in Christ. It might be a soldier miles away from his home family, and friends. What about the child who needs someone to help feed him through a desperate time of famine and war? The one thing they all have in common is they need someone...anyone to care. Will it be you? Will you change your world?
Changing the world one life at a time,
Pastor Trey Rhodes
Great weekend services. Largest this year! don't miss what God is doing.
Join us for Dinner on the Grounds this Sunday right after church.
Click here for more information:
Ocannounce.info myoceansidechurch.com
What if it was all about you? I have read 2 books that are complete juxtaposition of one another. The first one is, that many of you have probably already read, The Purpose Driven Life. The other is a book that is intended for "young readers" titled The Hunger Games. It is premiering March 23rd as a movie (which my wife and are going to see).
One book begins with this line, "It's not about you." The other encourages us to live for ourselves, preserve our way of life, and exploit others for enjoyment. While there are many that equate The Hunger Games with the Circus Maximus of the Roman empire, I think there are many applications to our own world and time.
Katniss and the Capitol
The world of Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of the books and of the upcoming movie, is a world where the masses are kept alive by the hand of the government known as "the Capitol". This happens with food rations that all revolve around participation by the districts in the "Hunger Games." The horror of the tale is that each district had to deliver two teens called "tributes" to the Hunger Games. When a district won the games, it was a huge honor and extra food for any district that came out as champion. The problem is, in order to win, they must kill 23 other teens. So, it was anything but "not about you." It was all about you and your survival. The beauty of The Hunger Games is that what was intended to bring out selfishness and barbarism actually brings out the best in Katniss. Once she got her eyes off of herself and onto others, the entire dynamics of the game changed.
The Benefits of Caring
The tributes were told to win at all costs to keep themselves alive. Many of you have taken the challenge to change your world in 52 days. That too will cost. It will cost time...energy...resources...and finances. But the rewards will far outweigh any costs you might have to bear. Hear is what it takes, you chosing to stop looking so much at yourself and have chosen to have an explosion of care and see a burden for the those hurting. The challenge now is to experience a burden and develop a mission statement that defines that same burden for others.
Your Care for Others Cares for Jesus
Jesus places a great burden on us by equating our care and love for the hurting of our world with our care and love for Him. This is how He tells us how we can care:
I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; was in prison and you visited Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?' "And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.' (Matthew 25:36-40 HCSB)It Might as Well Be Me
Who do you hurt for? Who are you willing to place your comfort and convenience on hold for? Maybe its the girl who has been sold into slavery. It could be the pastor who is being persecuted for his faith in Christ. It might be a soldier miles away from his home family, and friends. What about the child who needs someone to help feed him through a desperate time of famine and war? The one thing they all have in common is they need someone...anyone to care. Will it be you? Will you change your world?
Changing the world one life at a time,
Pastor Trey Rhodes
Great weekend services. Largest this year! don't miss what God is doing.
Join us for Dinner on the Grounds this Sunday right after church.
Click here for more information:
Ocannounce.info myoceansidechurch.com
Somebody has to do something. It might as well be me!
ReplyDeleteIt only happens when we do.
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