Self or Others?

Philippians 2:4 “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

A rich man went to his psychiatrist to complain that he was miserable despite all his wealth. The psychiatrist took the man to the window and asked: “What do you see?” The man replied: “I see people walking around.” The psychiatrist then took the man to stand in front of the mirror and asked: “Now what do you see?” The man said: “I see only myself.” The psychiatrist then said: “In the window there is a glass and in the mirror there is glass, and when you look through the glass of the window, you see others, but when you look into the glass of the mirror you see only yourself. The reason for this is that behind the glass in the mirror is a layer of silver. When silver is added, you cease to see others. You only see yourself.”

If we are all caught up in ourselves, we make a very small package. Whether it’s the empty promises of material satisfaction or loneliness caused by social dislocation, or whatever other reason, Paul says we should look beyond ourselves and look to others. Dr. Karl Menninger once gave a lecture on mental health and at the end did a Q&A with his audience. Somebody asked: “What would you advise a person to do if that person felt a nervous breakdown coming on?” Most people anticipated the answer: “Consult a psychiatrist.” To their amazement he replied: “Leave your house, go across the railroad tracks, find someone who is in need, and do something to help that person.”

Without discounting the value of seeking professional help in many instances, the point is clear that in an excessively self-obsessed age, Jesus’ call is to lay down ourselves for others. It’s life-giving on multiple levels.

Lord, help me today to look beyond myself to others. Amen!