Thursday, September 3, 2009

Love is Not Self Seeking

Last year was a big year for me, none like I’ve ever experienced before. God was molding me, changing me, making me new and allowing me to walk through fires I never thought I would have been able able to walk through. During this time a friend challenged me to dig deep into the Word; to really examine God's promises to me and the destiny he had for my life. She asked me if I had ever really studied 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 before. I had read the verses a thousand times before, what could be any different now?

As I slowly broke down the verse into each individual phrase, I began to realize how perfect God’s love was and how imperfect I was at loving. I wanted to write down what God was showing me, so I started blogging about it. I worked my way through Love is Patient and then through Love is Kind. Then walked my way through Love Does Not Envy. The last blog post I wrote about these verses was Love Does not Boast or is Not Proud. As I dug into the Word, I found myself more and more convicted by the words of my Savior. I didn’t realize how much I failed at true love!

Though it has taken me a year to come back to it, I feel the need to finish. Which brings me to today’s topic “Love is Not Self Seeking.” Mr. Dictionary tell us that the definition of self seeking is “The act or habit of seeking one's own interest or happiness; selfishness.”

Ok… I am now going to take a brief moment to stop and R-E-A-L-L-Y think about what I’m going to say next because I really don’t want any word vomit to spew from my mouth before wisdom has had a chance to settle. Here is a cute music video of Mercy Me singing "So Long Self." How appropriate!



There are a million things I could say about this type of love and how I don’t believe that anyone but Jesus is capable of walking it out as Paul described when he wrote this verse. I believe Paul saw what selfishness could do to the world; he saw what it was doing to the world. I too have seen first hand what selfishness can do. I have seen it hurt people in ways you cannot imagine and have watched selfishness so consume people that they completely believe all the lies the enemy has fed to them. But who am I to judge; have I not been selfish in my life time? Is this really too much of Paul to be asking of us?

Can you honestly say that you have never had a selfish motive and carried it out? Or refused to do something good because you just don't feel like it? Because… I KNOW I HAVE! I am a girl that likes to be comfortable. I can’t stand confrontation, so I’ll do almost anything to avoid those situations. I love my sleep, so I’ll ask my darling husband to get up with Jayden so I can sleep in just a little bit longer! In all three of these examples I acted in selfishness!!

Unfortunately when the fall of man occurred and Adam and Eve took that bite from that fruit, (not that I’m blaming them for my actions) a lot of the “pure at heart” characteristics fell away from them. It’s a constant battle for most of us to fight the natural instinct to look out for one's self. Even Jeremiah 17:9 says that “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can understand it?” Not that people can’t be selfless, they can! There are so many in this world who will die to themselves daily and put other people’s needs before their own. But... it's still a battle! (2 Corinthians 4:11-12)

Though I still fall short and put my own selfish desires before others, I do want to be more like my Jesus everyday. Paul was right, true love isn’t self seeking. Jesus committed the most selfless act one can by giving up his life for all of humanity. He embodies what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and I want to love like that.

27 comments:

Rachel H. said...

I think we all fall short from time to time, and we just have to remember that God is walking with us and if we fall, he will pick us up, brush us off and help us to get back on the right path!

Laura @ My Thoughts-Uninterrupted said...

Lovely post...That verse is a challenging one to live by. I know I certainly fail at it a lot.

Rachel said...

Definitely something I need to work on, thanks for reminding me of that verse :)

Unknown said...

I think that verse is so abundantly used at weddings and similar situations that we end up dazing out when it is read, or skipping over it in our studies and forget what it REALLY means. Thanks for bringing it back home.

Have you ever heard the Brandon Heath song "Love Never Fails?" I think you would really enjoy it.

Mary Michal said...

Thanks for this post. It hadn't occurred to me that selfishness is more than doing something selfish. It's also refusing to do something that's good. When I re-evaluate my life and think about all of the good things I've refused to do because I was too lazy, it's very disheartening. Thank you for bringing this to my attention so that I can do something about it from here forward.

Taryn said...

What an insightful post. I can truly say that you made me look a bit deeper at myself...and my faith. Thank you.

Emily said...

What a great post. I know for myself I feel like I struggle with selfishness all. the. time. It's a constant battle for me and one I feel like I'm frequently loosing. In fact, I mentioned the other day that I feel like there's a constant battle for my soul and the enemy has a hold on my selfish desires at all time. Thanks for being so encouraging and letting me know I'm not the only one fighting this.

Lauren said...

Love this post! I also like to be comfortable so anything that rocks that boat is something I tend to shy away from. Thanks for reminding me of the love Jesus shows us each and ever day!

A New England Girl said...

Beautiful post. I too detest confrontation and will avoid it in all shapes and forms. It is often hard to avoid selfishness, but in avoiding, brushing aside, ignoring and a host of other actions, we do just that. I love your take on this and often struggle with the debate myself. It is always nice to see others examining it, especially when it serves as a reminder.

Thanks, girl. xoxo.

Terri said...

I definitely needed to read this today! Thank you for being transparent.;)

Jenna said...

Thank you for the reminder. God has been showing me in the past few weeks just how selfish I really am- even though I am known for having a 'servant heart.' My pride has taken over and I do things out of a selfish love for the title of 'servant' instead of striving to be like Christ. Thank you for allowing God to speak through you- and don't worry you didn't word vomit! :)

Alicia said...

WOW....you really have me thinking. I realize how I fall from living up to this verse. I have never thought about what this verse is really saying. This was something I really needed to hear. Did you ever think that while you may be helping yourself be more like Jesus you are also inspiring people to follow your lead? Thanks for this post Lyryn!

LucieP said...

self seeking, selfish, prideful...all dangerous characteristics!
I am constantly asking for God's help in helping me see beyond my own needs and thoughts especially when it comes to Danny. I get so wrapped up sometimes in everything else that I don't stop and think of what he is going through...how he perceives it...and then I feel really badly.

It's very interesting to see how things can change when we put our own behavior in check!

5th Belle Avenue said...

What an AWESOME post!! Thank you so much for sharing this. What an amazing verse and something I need to be reminded of EVERY DAY!

Miss Jody said...

Very nice post sweetie :)

Stephanie said...

I LOVE this post!!!!!! I'm going to have to go back and read your other posts from last year also.

I have had major issues with my faith over the last 5 years and this was a very heartwarming post tonight.

Thanks!

Kristin Williams Balla said...

So true, so true. Daddy always got up with you kids too. I let him because he was willing, and I was sleepy. I need to work on this one along with you, my daughter!

Amber said...

What a great reminder! You and your family are just precious and I look forward to reading more from you!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your comment on my blog :) I am amazed at how many wonderful bloggers I have all ready "met"!

I love this post. My intention with my upcoming marriage is to be together until death do we part and though it will be hard at times, I am determined to work through it all.

Brandi said...

Beautiful post! BTW, something for you on my blog.

Pippy said...

Great post! I love those verses!

Kate said...

Such a great post. Thanks you for this. I look forward to reading your other Cor. 13 posts.

PS - I have to watch myself to make sure I don't have word vomit sometimes too!

Jax said...

What a fabulous post. I admire you for your devotion and see this as a way to also work on my own. Thank you. :) Hope you have a great weekend!

Kristin said...

i thought i had commented on this when you postd but I guess not! this is a very good reminder and a great post. Thank you..

and no, my mom doesn't sell her jam, although, she read your comment and was telling me how she just might because its a good idea! :) hehe

sarah @ life {sweet} life said...

Great post...I love the insight you share! Thanks for sharing and spurring me towards meditating more on certain scriptures. :)

Heather said...

Great post!! Thanks for sharing it with us and your heart!

Trina said...

Good stuff girl! Everytime I read the Love chapter I realize what a failure I am at it as well. We all are really. So thankful that doesn't quench his love for me!