I Want To Talk About Me – A Lesson in Humility

 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

Dear Family & Friends,

It is a very natural tendency to think only about yourself. We get stuck inside our minds and our thoughts drive everything we feel and do. So when we are with others we often spill out what we think. It takes some transformation and personal adjustment to set aside selfishness and focus first on another person and what they think. But that is what God calls us to do. 

Sad News About Toby Keith

It has only been a short time since I first heard the news that country singer Toby Keith passed away. I, with many other country music fans, carry a heavy heart at the loss of this man’s powerful voice. If you were born in my era you couldn’t help but be touched by some of Toby’s hits. 

Soon after our country was attacked and the Twin Towers fell, his powerful voice boomed from the radio with his song, “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”.  All American citizens who listened at that time collectively joined with the Statue of Liberty as she was shaking her fist in the face of the enemy who had so devastated our country. 

I Want To Talk About Me

Another popular song has always made me chuckle. “I Wanna Talk About Me” laments the common frustration of regularly dealing with someone who talks too much about themselves and never seems interested in what anyone else has to say. In the song, the boyfriend is constantly subjected to his girlfriend’s incessant prattle and has become frustrated. In a moment of exasperation he lists all the minute and personal details she constantly shares, but finally explodes with “I like talking about you usually, but occasionally, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ME!” 

He goes on in the chorus to say:

I want to talk about me

Want to talk about I

Want to talk about number one

Oh my me my

What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see

I like talking about you, you, you, you usually, but occasionally

I want to talk about me

I want to talk about me

~Toby Keith

A Laughable But Common Predicament

You just have to laugh at this predicament because all of us have been in this situation – either on the listening or the talking end. But somewhere in the heart of the child of God there has to be an uncomfortable feeling as well. While this relationship issue is common it is not how God wants His people to conduct themselves. 

A Biblical View on Selfishness

Paul expresses the attitude we should have in his letter to the Philippians. He says, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

Can you imagine what any relationship would look like if both parties were not merely looking out for their own interests, but also for the interests of others?

Jesus, The Perfect Example to Follow

While it may be difficult to extricate ourselves from our own thoughts and desires to be Number One, we have a perfect example to follow. Jesus Christ truly has the Number One spot in all of the universe. He is the most important Person there is by virtue of the fact that He is God and the Creator of all things. Yet, although He existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped. Instead, He emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant. 

Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh and humbled Himself even unto death on a cross in order to ensure that we sinful and selfish humans would not die in our sins. What an incredible blessing and example for us to follow!

What better way to show our appreciation of God’s incredible gift than by emulating His attitude towards others?

Put Others First and Glorify God

So the next time you are tempted to prattle on about yourself or are subjected to someone else’s interminable, self-centered yammering, don’t let sin get the best of you. Instead of giving in to the “I Wanna Talk About Me” mentality, remember Jesus’ example and say a prayer that you can exhibit His humble attitude. This mindset will likely save your relationship and it will also glorify God.

Love,

Mama

If you have been blessed by Verses from Mama consider buying me a cup of tea to help with the costs of this ministry. Thank you!