Summary: I find the advice we get from our cultural "experts" very interesting. Some of it is helpful, and some of it isn't. Some of it has wisdom, but some of it is horrible advice. Open a magazine, read an article online, or watch a morning talk show, and you'll hear some consistent themes. One of them is the theme of "putting yourself first." Culture sometimes talks about people who spend their time serving others as if it's a bad thing. You'll actually see wonderful Moms and Dads admonished for spending so much time on their children or their spouse. One article recently said the best way to help your marriage is to "spend time apart and focus on yourself." This focus on fulfilling our selfish desires isn't a good idea to me. So I have a challenge for you. Don't listen to that advice. Rather, take your advice from God and His Word. St. Paul writes in Philippians, "...in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Pour yourself out in the service of others, and God will fill you up in ways that "me time" never could. Serve others. Love others. Care for others before yourself and you will be following in Jesus' footsteps. And did you know, that following in Jesus' footsteps is the best way to reach your world?
