From Entitled to Rights Surrendered

Lord, we often are so full of ourselves, our rights, and our entitlement. We are proud and focused on ourselves, our interests, our needs, our wants. We don’t mind blaming others when we feel threatened, or to make ourselves look good. We can be so self-centered, selfish, and self-seeking. We are quick to buy into the many lies of the world that tell us that life is all about us, from – ‘you deserve it’ to ‘you are worth it', and everything in between. We have become so focused on ourselves and our rights that we are not concerned with others or what you want of us. Forgive us, we pray.

You left your heavenly glory Lord, to come and live on this earth as one of us. You put our need for salvation above all else and willingly laid down your very life to redeem us. Master, we stand in awe of you. We worship you. You remind us in your word to esteem others better than us and to look out for the needs of others. You modeled it for us. Master, help to obey your word. Lord, help us to put the interests of others above ours, even when their interests collide with ours. Help us understand that when we do, it will affect everything about how we view ourselves and our interests, and most importantly, it honors you and brings you glory. We want to obey, Lord, but we cannot do this on our own. Please help us, Lord, we pray. We need you so.

Philippians 2:3-4 – Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:5-8 – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Ponder this: In which situation/relationship do I need to start putting the needs of others above my own?