What about me?

Jesus. Others. You. That spells JOY. Don't think of yourself but think of others first.

     I remember thinking to myself, "Don't I ever get to think of myself? Do I ever get to put my needs first? I have needs too that need to be met! Is there a balance?" I was finding this exhausting.
     Then I read about the 5 wise virgins and the 5 foolish. (Matt. 25:1-13) The 5 wise brought enough oil for themselves. The foolish did not. When the foolish realized that they needed more oil they asked the wise virgins and the wise said "no". No?!?!?!?!?! Wait a minute. Isn't that selfish???? Aren't we always supposed to think of others first? But God commended these wise virgins. He called them wise not selfish.
     Matthew 22:37-40 says, to love the Lord with all our heart etc. Jesus does come first. No matter what. But the second command is different. You should love your neighbor as yourself.  It didn't say more or instead of yourself, but as yourself.
     Now I do agree that Love can compel us. We can love someone so much that we give our lives in service for them and sometimes even our very lives for them. (John 15:12,13) But it is love for others that is driving it, not duty.
     1 John 4:19 says We love Him because He first loved us. and Gal. 5:22 says But the fruit of the Spirit is love. It's not us. It's completely Christ.
     When Christ fulfills and completes us we won't be looking at our needs and demanding it of others because we will already be filled. We will no longer need to look to others to meet our needs. We won't be selfish because Christ's love will overflow in us.  We will love others and want them to experience the same love that Christ has given us.
God's love is amazing!!!! Accomplishing what I couldn't!
~Grace