When you ask, “Why is this happening to me?”, who is the centre of your universe?

When Jesus was dying on the cross at the hands of brutal people, was the question from the cross, “Why me?” or a plea to “Pay them Back?”?

No. Jesus did not die for self. Jesus died for others, even as they sinned and abused and mocked the Saviour Who died to save them.

If anyone loves God with heart, soul and might (Deuteronomy 6:5), and others at least as much as they love themselves (Leviticus 19:18), Jesus would be the centre of their universe, in good times and disasters.

Would such a person not come to realize that the question is not, “Why me?”, but “How can God save or strengthen those around me?”

Life from The Spirit is not for what I can get out of it, but how I can, in all things, shed the Light of Christ into a dark and broken world.

As a disciple of Jesus I already have the ultimate reward, salvation in this world and eternal peace and life in the next. What more do I need?

Why do I want a life that feeds my temporary ego/flesh instead of bringing hope and healing to people at the working of The Spirit?

Jesus came into the world to bring eternal life to all who believe, not temporary personal pleasures.

A soldier concerned only with personal pleasures and ego-stroking would be useless. So with us.

“The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act” (2 Peter 3:9 God’s Word Translation©).

Does this verse also describe your life goal?

That’s a good question.