It's Not About Me

By Jeremy Dehut

Every four years, my family has enjoyed watching the Olympics as athletes around the world get to represent the countries that have supported their various sports. Team events are particularly interesting since winning a gold depends on the participation and commitment of multiple people.

In the last few days at Torino, news agencies around the world followed the developing story of the American speed skating team. The team had been scheduled to participate in a team event, but as it drew closer, one of the American’s decided to withdraw, stating that he didn’t want to overextend himself and would rather be rested up for his individual events. The American team skated 3 men instead of 4, and failed to medal, while the solo skater went on to win his individual gold Saturday night. Embittered, one American teammate had some harsh words for the member who left to skate on his own. Bold quotes followed by stony silence between teammates clearly showed that selfishness & pride had ruined part of the Olympic experience for this team. Why did all of that happen? Because of selfishness.

Which one of us finds himself exempt from struggling with selfishness? All of us have battled it at some point in our past, and all of us will fight the temptation again. Maybe you find yourself in the midst of the struggle right now! Before you face off with the foe of selfishness again, I would encourage you to read Colossians 1:24-2:5, where a Jewish apostle of Jesus Christ writes a letter to some Gentile Christians while in Roman confinement. If there was ever a person who could have wallowed in self-pity it was Paul on this occasion, instead he says he rejoices (Col. 1:24)! Let’s inspect this text a little more to see how Paul explains his selflessness in suffering.

“It’s about you!”
Christians in Paul’s condition today would be quick to bemoan their situation, always referring back to the book of Job and repeating some of his me statements, “This is so hard on me... This is so unfair (to me, my family, my church, my friends)... This hurts (me) so much...” Please understand; I write from experience because some of these same self-pitying thoughts have gone through my head before. But like Job, we need to mature beyond the “me” and get to something that provides a little more solace.

Paul did not worry about Paul. Five times in this context, instead of thinking about himself Paul refers to the Colossians and their situation!
1) “My suffering for your sake” (1:24).
2) “The stewardship that was given me for you” (1:25).
3) “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27).
4) “Know my great concern for you” (2:1).
5) “I am with you in spirit” (2:5).

The only times we see him mention himself is in connection with the well being of the Colos-
sians!

We must clarify something before moving on. The suffering that Paul endured was not brought about as a consequence to foolishness on his part (like some of the things we suffer). The suffering Paul endured was on account of the gospel that he preached. It was for righteousness sake (Matt. 5:10-12). One of the reasons he was able to rejoice in this suffering for the gospel, was the benefit it had been to those who heard. For Paul it was a price worth paying.

May we learn to think about others in our lives, instead of ourselves.

“It’s about Christ!”
Paul’s life centered on Christ. His world revolved around Christ!

When he suffered, he compared his suffering for the church to Christ’s suffering for the church, and said he hadn’t suffered enough yet because he hadn’t suffered to the point of death (Col. 1:24).

When he celebrated the saved condition of the Colossians and the hope they looked for, it was because of Christ in them (Col. 1:27).

When he preached, warned and taught others the most important things in life, it Christ was always the theme and the conclusion. Christ was the North Star of every sermon Paul delivered; it always brought him home (Col. 1:28).
When Paul found himself weak or confused about how to proceed, Christ gave him the strength and answers (Col. 1:29; Phil. 4:13).

When he prayed for the spiritual confidence of the Colossians, he knew it would be found in the revealed mystery of Christ (Col. 2:2-3).

When Paul needed a pick-me-up when things began to get to him, all he had to do was think about the Colossians firm faith in Christ (Col. 2:5).

For the Christian, our lives are not our own, they are Christ’s. We live for him! Those who have not named the name of Jesus cannot understand why we have placed ourselves into His hands. They see us as throwing away our freedom. What they do not know is that true freedom is only found in Him. It is those who continue to fight for and declare their independent lives that are enslaved to their sin and vices. For Paul, life revolved around something much better than himself.

May we learn to live for someone greater than ourselves, Christ!

“It’s about God!”
Finally, Paul’s life was about God.

The stewardship of serving the churches came from God (Col. 1:25). Paul was answerable to someone for what he did and what he placed first in life.

The gospel that Paul preached, it originated from God (Col. 1:27)! It didn’t come from Paul, it wasn’t Paul story it was God’s, and it pleased God to reveal His will regarding salvation and reconciliation. Paul explains later in the letter that we should live in such a way so that we bring glory and give thanks to God (Col. 3:17).

Conclusion:
So, who do you live for? If there were spiritual reporters following the lives of God’s team, the “Christians,” what would they write? Would they write about the selfish decisions we make that undermine the efforts of the team and keep us all arm’s length from each other? Or would they write that we were the most selfless team they had ever seen, and that we worked for one another and kept each other close? God wants the later sentence to describe us.