There’s something so reminiscent about putting a tape in the old VHS player and watching home videos from when we were kids. With smartphones and simple movie-making software, it’s much easier now. But maybe that only makes those video cassettes feel a little extra special.
When I was younger, I wanted to be the star of every home video.
The center of attention.
For the first few years of my life, that wasn’t too hard. I’m the first born, so my brother didn’t come into the picture until I was two and a half. My sister came even later. Babies are cute, but they don’t know how to show off for the video camera until they’re a little older.
But then, when my brother Ben grew up, center stage was no longer automatically mine.
I had to fight to be front and center.
And one of those home videos captures me pushing Ben off a picnic table just so I could continue to be the center of attention. Not cool.
When I think back now to those home videos, I want to scold the younger me for being so selfish. I’d never act like that now. I know better. I prefer to be in the background—I don’t like to have everyone’s eyes on me.
And some of that may be true.
But at the same time, we all have areas of selfishness in our lives.
For example, who do we think of first when making a decision—ourselves or others? When we hear bad news, do we worry about others or feel concerned for our own lives? How tightly do we hold to our own desires, even at the expense of others?
But true joy isn’t found in putting ourselves first.
If we only live to make ourselves happy and comfortable, our lives won’t feel complete. Something will still be missing: the purpose that comes in thinking of others before ourselves.
I love Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
We find life in the One who loves us and gave Himself up for us, and we find purpose in sharing that radical, selfless love with others.
And never forget … you are wonderfully created by Him.
Love,
Becca
