So an ironic thing occurred to me the other day.  Stay with me because this prolly won't make sense.....

People are selfish.  In fact, I would go so far as to say that EVERY person is selfish.  I truly don't believe that there is one single person who is 100% selfless.  And that may offend someone, but that is just what I think.  And I don't necessarily think that it is a bad thing to be selfish.  In fact, I think that selfishness is what helps humans survive.  We care about ourselves and our own well-being so we do anything to keep ourselves alive.

Okay, so that is all well and good.  But then I realized that the reason that people come to know Christ is because they realize that they are not in control of their destiny....especially after death.  So we have religion.  But even religion seems selfishly based.  For instance, if for some weird reason we knew without a doubt that every single person on the planet goes to heaven when they die no matter what, then I don't believe there would be religion.  People come to Christ because they start wondering "What will happen to ME after I die?", "Am I going to heaven?", "What if I am going to hell?".  Basically, these questions are all about me.  The reason for a person to become Christian is never because they asked, "What should I be doing to help the world?", or "How can I make my life better for everyone around me?". 

So the ironic thing is that selfish people look to the ultimate selfLESS person, Jesus, as their example.  Jesus was 100% selfless.  He did not care about his future.  All He cares about is you and me.  All He cares about is making sure we have a way to talk to God the Father.  All He cares about is ensuring that we know His love and His plan for us.

So I'm not suggesting that we all become selfless like Christ because honestly I don't know if that is possible.  But I believe that it is important to remember our example.  Remember that life is not about you.  Its not about me.  Life, not just life after death, but life right here and now, is all about Him. 

"Direct me in the path of your commands,
       for there I find delight.

  Turn my heart toward your statutes
       and not toward selfish gain.

  Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
       preserve my life according to your word."       Psalm 119: 35-37

God teaches us through paradoxes.  He strengthens us through weakness.  He provides victory in defeat.  Let me explain.

When do you feel closest to God?  Is it when you see the sun coming up in the morning?  Or when you see that little baby smile for the first time?  Or how about when you look into the eyes of the one you love and are filled from head to toe with the memories that you have created and been a part of?

We feel closest to God when we remember His goodness and amazing love.  And how would we appreciate this goodness if we didn't experience the valley?  That's how God works.  He sends us through the valley so we can see His glory.  It's about HIM.  It's not about me.  It's not about you.  And it's not about now.  It's about the creator of the universe.  It's about the same God who parted the seas for the israelites.  The same God who gave Adam a companion.  God is forever.  And he uses times in the valley to strengthen us and show us His glory.  It doesn't make sense, but it does.  When you are weak, that is when you are strong.  THAT is when you experience God to the max.  THAT is when you feel the very heartbeat of God.  That is when you can feel God's arms wrapped around you in an embrace so loving, so deep, and so safe that words can't even begin to describe it.

And God provides victory in defeat in the same way.  Because what happens when we become defeated?  When I become defeated, I SURRENDER.  I surrender my life.  I surrender my relationship.  I surrender my desires and my needs to Him.  And the amazing part is that it becomes a victory!  I know this may not make sense, but victory comes when we place ALL of our hope in Christ.  True victory!  Not temporary, wordly victory, but victory over evil.  Victory over life.  Victory over sadness, pain, heartache, depression, emptiness, loneliness, separation, hate, fear.  When we become defeated, we have a God who takes our issues..........and turns them into great, GREAT victory.

God works in paradoxes all the time.  When you think God is the farthest away, that is when He is closest.  When you feel like God has turned His back on you, that is when He is running towards you, waiting for you to open your arms to Him.  And when you feel like you don't deserve to look into the face of your creator, that is when He puts His hand under your chin and lifts up your head.  When you feel like you have to keep running from God, that is when you have to make that decision to turn and run towards Him.  When you feel so alone and so empty, that is when God is filling you the most.  He creates victory in defeat.  He makes you strong when you are weak.

"The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body."  1 Corinthians 15: 42-44