Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Love is… Part 8

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When I started this series, I had no idea where it was going to go. I didn’t have a plan. I just felt called to write what God says about love.

So far we’ve covered:

  1. Love is patient
  2. Love keeps no record of wrongs
  3. Love is kind
  4. Love is not rude
  5. Love is not irritable
  6. Love is not jealous
  7. Love is not boastful or proud

But now I have a plan. I want to finish the series in December, so today we will focus on…

Other versions say things like, “does not insist on its own way,” or “is not self-serving,” or “is not selfish.”

What does that look like? How do we not be self-seeking?

I mean, let’s be honest. We’re all selfish creatures. We like things our way. We want them done when we want them done and how we want them done.

Honestly, it’s in the training. You have to TRAIN yourself to stop thinking solely of yourself. If you’re a mom, you already do this to a certain extent. How many nights do we get up to take care of a sick or crying child at the expense of our own sleep?

But even if you’re not a mom, I’m sure you can think of instances when you’ve thought of others above yourself. Did you allow a person in the grocery line to go before you because you had a cart full, and he/she had only a few items? Did you wave a person through at a stop sign when you didn’t have to? Have you smiled at a stranger? (Remember, I challenged you to smile in my post The Attitude of the Heart.)

All of those are unselfish acts. We’re trying to brighten someone else’s day.

I struggle with this some days. I give and give to my family, sometimes with little to no appreciation. There are times when I just want someone to think about ME. I want ME to be cared for. And that’s okay.

Once in a while.

But I can’t live there.

I can’t always focus on me.

And that’s what this section of the verse is telling us.

Another verse comes to mind…

Phil. 2:3, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (ESV)

It says it all, or rather reiterates, the truth.

Count others more significant than yourselves.

Love is not self-seeking.

Now to live it. Daily. Hourly. Every minute. Every second.

It’s definitely something to think about and work on.

Many blessings,

 

Ginger Solomon (123 Posts)

Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre. Even when she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, reading or writing are not far from her mind. She is president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.


Comments

  1. Hi Ginger, how timely! Did you transport yourself to my thoughts?! The last few days I have felt like it is time for me, for me to have a break, some time to myself, only to be abruptly reminded that this is not going to happen for some time. So, now I have a choice- just like you wrote! To focus on myself, or choose to be unselfish…The verse from Philemon is just what I needed right now, and will be my prayer.
    Many thanks and blessings:)

  2. Hi Ginger! As Wemble said today’s blog is a timely reminder, especially with the holidays around the corner. I have enjoyed and been inspired by your LOVE is … series. Love is a choice, as is every aspect of this thought provoking Love Chapter. Thanks for sharing of yourself and best wishes.

  3. We’ve just finished 40 Days of Love in our church. Tonight’s the last session in our cell groups. It’s been a challenging 40 days, because loving the way God wants us to — like Jesus — is not easy. It’s sacrificial, as you’ve reminded us in your post. Thank you.

  4. But it’s so hard!!! If we can only remember we are never so joyful as when we are obeying God’s will.

  6. Another great reminder of what love is. Why is it always easier to see when others are self-seeking, but not when our own selves are? To look at other people’s specks but not our own log? I’m enjoying this series.

  8. Ginger,
    Great post! I appreciate what you wrote about. I work at a high school and so often I find kids now days are “me” centered. My goal each day, is to let one student know they are heard and loved for who they are. I hope it will make a difference and they will pass it on.

  9. I’m glad to be a conduit of God’s blessings to you, Wemble. There are seasons. We just need to be wise in discerning which are of our making and which are of His.

  14. It’s always easier to see other’s mistakes, even when ours are similar. Maybe a little of it is self-denial. I don’t want to acknowledge my sin/selfishness because then I’m obligated to do something about it (as a Christian).

    Thanks for the encouragement.

  15. God is so right on. I just try to listen to Him and type. He knows who needs to hear what. Thanks for the encouragement, though. I do appreciate knowing that I’m listening to Him and blessing other people.

  16. You may never see it, but you are making a difference. I had a few teachers that were encouraging, and while I may not remember their names, I remember how they made me feel. They helped me survive high school. May God bless your endeavors EVERY day as you love on those kids.

  17. This is a wonderful post. I so agree with you. My mother, thank you God for her, taught all five of us kids about this and so much more. She made it a part of life. I am so glad that I listened and obeyed her. I love to put others first. LOL Don’t get me wrong I do like putting myself first at home, especially now that our kids have flown the coop. My husband just looks at me kinda funny every once in a while but says nothing. He is still my first. Second to God. You are so right about us all being selfish.

  20. I always enjoy reading your love series. It makes me think so much about my thoughts and actions. Today’s was particularly interesting because I had a conversation with my husband the other day about how much I don’t have me-time since our son was born (unless I’m at work, or doing laundry, or… basically all me time is some kind of work). I work around my schedule so I’m mostly home with him — and thank God that I have a job that allows me to do so. Even so today I caught myself thinking: how much I’d love to just walk to the next building’s coffee shop and sit down for a few minutes to sip a cup of coffee or stroll in the sun while the weather is still nice out. But no, I am now rushing home so I can get a few minutes of work before the sitter needs to leave. I don’t even drive so I don’t have to worry about the hustle of parking and traffic and get home faster. I mostly realized I don’t have free time in my brain either. I’m always planning or working–and less and less reading (blog posts or books). On the one hand I feel bad about it (feel selfish and self-seeking and self-serving), but on the other hand I just miss some me-time at all–because I make my own schedule, my husband keeps telling me I can have me time anytime, but he’s so wrong (or maybe not?), I need to work on the rare moments I have someone looking over Sam so I can have more baby time and home time and husband time whenever possible.

  21. Uh oh, I had gotten real lax about the smile!! Thanks for the reminder, Ginger, and for all your posts on the “love” subject. I’ve enjoyed them all!
    Blessings~~

  23. It’s hard when the littles are LITTLE. I rarely had me time, but I KNOW how important it is. Even if it’s only 15 minutes in a bubble bath with a good book, you NEED that time to unwind and rejuvenate yourself. I didn’t get it, because I didn’t realize how much I needed it. It took a toll on me after a while. Some days you just have to say, “The laundry and dishes will still be there tomorrow. I need a walk or a bath or a trip to the library for a few hours.” Hubby should be good to watch the kids; they’re his too. ;)

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