LOVE IS UNSELFISH

“Love … is self-seeking.”
(I Corinthians 13:5)

What if I told you that we have all been infected with a deadly disease?  It’s more widespread than the flu or the common cold.  And, it’s deadlier than bubonic plague, tuberculosis, and ebola. The truth is that we have indeed been infected.  We are all carriers of this deadly disease.  This disease will kill relationships and it will eventually destroy you if it is not treated properly.  What is this deadly disease?  See if you can identify it from the following scenario described by Max Lucado…

Suppose you are in a group photo.  The first time you see the picture, where do you look?  And if you look good, do you like the picture?  If you are the only one who looks good, do you still like the picture?  If some are cross-eyed and others have spinach in their teeth, do you still like the picture?  If that makes you like it even more, you’ve got a bad case.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, this deadly disease is called selfishness.  We caught it from our parents.  It’s genetic.  It’s inbred in humanity.  Some may have worse cases than others, but we are all infected.  We naturally tend to view everything through the lens of self.

Take a few more snapshots of your life.   Your marriage.  Last weekend.  An afternoon with the kids.  An evening at home after a long day at work.  A day on the job.  First thing in the morning.  Dinner time.  Family vacation.  What do you see in these snapshots?  What do you look like?  Can you spot any symptoms of selfishness?

Selfishness is deadly.  It kills relationships.  And it will destroy your life – emotionally and spiritually – if not treated properly.  There is really only one cure:  God’s love.  Healing comes as we allow God’s love to flow through our veins.   As His love flows through us, those group pictures and snapshots of life suddenly begin to change.  They are much brighter.  They are filled with smiles and laughter and joy!

Dear Lord,
As I examine the snapshots of my life,
I confess that I have been infected with selfishness.
May Your love flood my soul and flow freely through the veins of my life.
Teach me to love others as Jesus loved me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.