The World Does Not Revolve Around YOU!
It is so easy for us to look at the world and think it revolves around us. After all, we are the center of our own little universe, aren’t we? We only see things from our own perspective because we can’t look at things through the eyes of other people.
We constantly think about the things that we need, food, shelter, warmth and the general stuff of life. In that sense we are like little children who only think about themselves. They and we only see the world as something to give us things, to provide what we need. I would hope that as we grow and become more aware of others and their needs, we start thinking of them over and above our own needs and wants.
Sadly, that isn’t always the case.
So much of what is going on in the world is wrapped up in pride. The selfish desire to win at all costs, to be in control, to be the boss, number one and ahead of all the rest, that’s what we want, and we want it now. Pride is the top of God’s hate list.
This from Proverbs 6:16-19.
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
The first item on the list is, “haughty eyes” and that’s pride right there at the top of the list, eyes that look down on everyone around them. Eyes that see others as just things to control.
If you drill down to what is truly behind much of the evil that has been done in this world, both to people and countries, you will find at its root, PRIDE.
Pride causes us to lie, to kill and to devise those wicked schemes. Pride and the desire to control or be in control can cause us to rush into evil plans and to lie about others. Pride and that desire to control cause us to stir up trouble in our homes, offices and countries.
And what does pride cost us?
Many times, it costs us marriages, jobs and blood.
Proverbs 16:18 tells us the truth about pride.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride can destroy a marriage because it preaches the “I won’t give in,” “I am right” and “You are wrong” doctrine.
Pride destroys jobs and careers because if we succumb to it, we put everything under the “Me First” banner of getting ahead. We push to be first, be on top and be the best even if that means stepping on others on our way to the top.
And pride can cause the death of hundreds of thousands and even millions of people when countries go to war because some prideful fool decides it’s more important to control this or that piece of the world or those people. Or to seek revenge over some perceived wrong.
At the root of pride is that believe that the world revolves around ME.
Not that all pride is bad, there’s pride in a job well done or in a child’s accomplishments. No, the pride I and the Bible are talking about, warning about is that all encompassing pride that pushes all other concerns and any semblance of humbleness to one side in the effort to puff oneself up.
The world does not revolve around you. The world was not created just so you could walk around on it and be better than everyone else or that they do your bidding.
The world was created by Jesus, for Jesus and to do His will. In Colossians 1:16, Paul is speaking of Jesus when he tells us:
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
The world does not revolve around you because you did not create it; it was not created for you. It was created by Jesus and created for Jesus.
John tells us the same thing in his Gospel, John 1:3.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
So, with that in mind I will tell you who the world revolves around. It’s Jesus, of course, that’s who.
Through Jesus, God has created the world and made it for Jesus. We and the world are His and His alone.
So how are we to act in this world created by and for Jesus?
We must try and act as He would.
How did Jesus act when He was on the earth?
He put you and I above His own needs. He went to the cross so we wouldn’t have to and He died the death that we should have died.
We need to remember to put others ahead of ourselves.
When Jesus was on the earth, He did many miracles, but He never did one that benefited only Himself. He didn’t heal the wounds He suffered at the hands of the Romans. He didn’t bring Himself down from the cross. In fact, just about the only thing He ever did that sort of benefited Himself was to tell Peter to catch one fish in who’s mouth he would find a coin to pay the temple tax. And I think it could be argued that Jesus only did that so that Peter wouldn’t be made a liar for having told the Pharisees that they had paid the tax. Here’s the whole story from Matthew 17.
24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25 “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” 26 “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Jesus put others ahead of Himself and that is what we should do. After all Jesus Himself tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
The definition of “meek” used in this verse may well be thought of as one with great power, but with that power under restraint, as of powerful horses under control.
Another definition of meek would be humble and Jesus calls Himself “humble in heart” in Matthew 11:29. And there can’t be a better definition of great strength under control then Jesus, who had the power to cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead.
We have power and strength, but we must be careful how we make use of that power, where and when to exercise it.
You are not the center of the Universe, Jesus is.
And if Jesus is the creator of this Universe, which includes you and me, then He has a reason for us to be here, a plan for our lives. If we draw near to Him and ask Him to reveal that plan, He will show us what He wants us to do.
Philippians 2:13.
…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
This world is not here by some crazy accident, this world and everything in it was created for a purpose by a creator, Jesus. And as with everything else there is reason for us to be here and a job for us to be doing.
That is why I am here, to try to open your eyes to Jesus, to wake you up to the Lord who created you and to help you know Him better. So, you can find out what it is that He created you for. Don’t fall asleep the next time you go to church. Wake up and listen to what the Lord is trying to tell you. Read His word, the Bible and allow Him to open that word in your heart that you might see Him and understand more about Him.
As Jesus tells us, He did not come to be served, but to serve. The God who created the Universe came to earth, to His creation to serve that creation.
And we must follow His example in our dealings with others.
So, the next time you are tempted to think the world revolves around you remember, you didn’t create it, so don’t try to usurp the power of the one who did.