After reading Scott Greene’s post on putting others first, I began to do some thinking…some inward searching…

Sometimes, I believe that life is a journey to help me realize that I’m really not that important. I know, it is probably a major surprise to you because, well, I’m awesome. But, as awesome as both you and I know that I am, when it all boils down, I’m just not that important.

Now, I’m not saying that my life doesn’t matter…it does. And, I’m not saying that God doesn’t have a use for me…He does.

What I’m saying is that my self-inflated view of myself (remember, I just referred to myself as being awesome?) is off-base.

You see, while my life does in fact matter…I am not the most important person in the world (and neither are you…sorry!).

And, while God can and does use me, He can and does accomplish His will without me.

Here’s my confession: I often believe that whatever I am doing is more important than what you are doing.

So, if I am driving down the road, my destination is more important than yours…so you should politely let me pass you when you are driving at or below the speed limit.

If I am at the grocery or any other store, the items I am buying will serve a greater purpose than the items you are buying. Therefore, you should politely stop blocking  the entire aisle with your cart while trying to figure out which brand and variety of macaroni and cheese you should buy for your family.

If I am working, my work is more important than your work. So, please don’t bother me…period…I’m working…doing the Lord’s work…and that’s important stuff…and you wouldn’t understand.

Now, while most of this is “tongue-in-cheek”, there’s a bit of reality in it.

You see, too often I’m so caught up in whatever I am doing that I ignore whatever else is going on around me. I ignore the people that God has called me to love.

This evening, it hit me kind of hard when I was having a conversation with a friend.

While I truly enjoy this friend, when I received the phone call, I was in the midst of trying to get ready for this evenings rehearsal. While he was sharing some struggles that he has been dealing with, I found myself getting anxious…wondering when he was going to stop moaning and groaning so I could offer my 2 cents and get on with my business.

In the midst of this anxious feeling, I caught myself. I began to think, “Hey dummy, this friend is having a difficult time and he called you to talk through it and all you can think about is putting batteries in microphones.”

And, that’s when it hit me like the business end of a 2×4, I’m just not that important.

So, what is important? Making time for God. Making time for family. Making time for friends. Making time for others…for the hurt, the broken, the lost, the hungry, the desperate people we encounter each day who just need someone to realize that their busy schedule really isn’t that important.  Making time to just slow down for 5, 10, 15 minutes and listen…truly listen…to the person who is more important than you.

So, my hope, my prayer, and my desire is that I will become less selfish and begin to consider others first…to consider others as being better than myself…and to take my time so I can be open to the important stuff of life.