Me, Myself(ishness), and I


By Rachelle Bontreger, 19, USA

As a college student, much of my life seems to be highly self-centered. I worry about my schedule, my grades, my finances, and my future. I have to find time for my friends, my TV shows, and my personal time with God (but the last one seems to end up being last on the list a little too often). Being a young adult makes it very easy to spend a lot of time, money, and energy on myself. But lately I’ve been convicted about how this selfish existence, even in this important growing-up stage of life, is definitely not how Christ calls me to live.

I was reading earlier this week in Luke 21: 1-4 when it explains, “While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.’ ” Through this passage, it is obvious that Jesus sees the world differently from most people. He sees our hearts—what we choose to give to God and how much. We can give Him our all, or we can give Him only the time, money, talent, or plans that we want to give up. It’s up to us.

I was raised in a church that values responsible Christian stewardship, a concept that encourages us to use all of our God-given resources (time, money, talents, opportunities, our very lives) in a way that glorifies God through obeying the first two commandments (love God and love others). We’re called to be good stewards in everyday life. This means we spend time with God through prayer and His Word so that we can follow His will. Whether we’re doing volunteer work, studying chemistry, or going out to the mall with friends, each day can be lived in a way that glorifies the One who created us; who gives us strength; and who wants a personal relationship with each of us.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” This verse is a reminder that even the daily activities can be done in a way that sets us apart as people who have hope and meaning in our lives through Jesus Christ.

1 Comment

  1. Jorge Miguel Torres Diaz says:

    DAVID IMPLORA DIRECCIÓN, PERDÓN Y PROTECCIÓN.

    Buenos días hermanos y hermanas del mundo entero; Aquí les comparto con amor y fe, la bendición de consejos y dirección recibidos en este día maravilloso. Oro y pido oración por el pueblo de: Argelia; Que tu Salvador JESÚS, toques la vida de todos allá y hagas que ellos te acepten en sus vidas y así reciban el perdón de todos sus pecados y la vida nueva, plena y eterna que solo tú nos das Señor JESÚS.

    PROVERBIOS CAP: 18, VERS: 17.

    JUSTO PARECE EL PRIMERO QUE ABOGA POR SU CAUSA; PERO VIENE SU ADVERSARIO, Y LE DESCUBRE.

    Hermanos pidamos perdón de nuestros pecados cada día, delante de nuestro Señor JESÚS; Porque nuestro DIOS, todo lo ve y lo escucha, y obrara para que la verdad siempre se de a conocer y prevalezca.

    SALMOS CAP: 25, VERS: 4 y 5.

    MUÉSTRAME, OH JEHOVÁ, TUS CAMINOS; ENSÉÑAME TUS SENDAS. ENCAMÍNAME EN TU VERDAD, Y ENSÉÑAME, PORQUE TÚ ERES EL DIOS DE MI SALVACIÓN; EN TI HE ESPERADO TODO EL DÍA.

    Hermanos en la palabra de DIOS, encontraremos sus caminos y el propósito que ÉL, puso en nosotros; Nuestro Señor JESÚS, nos pone en ese camino de verdad y el Espíritu Santo, nos ayuda a comprender y seguir las sendas del caminar de nuestro Señor y Salvador JESÚS.

    Hermanos y hermanas solo en DIOS, encontraremos todo lo que necesitamos para tener una vida plena y eterna. La palabra de DIOS, nos da la dirección correcta; Nuestro Señor JESÚS, perdona todos nuestros pecados y nos da una vida nueva y el Espíritu Santo, nos ayuda y guía por sendas de justicia. Bendiciones para todos. Amén.

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