Thoughts for another day

Feb. 22, 2013.

Today's verse: Philippians 2:4. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (NIV – Copyright ack.)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

A few days ago, at a busy section of the road in Mumbai where I live, I stood in a corner watching the traffic move by.  At one side of the road stood an elderly man desiring to cross it, waiting for the elusive thinning of the traffic.  He was visibly scared and seemed daunted by the simple task of just crossing the road because each time he stepped out to cross, the vehicle which was a few paces away, revved up to get past before he could cross.   I thought to myself – amazing… these guys, the drivers, how crass they are.  None would stop to allow the man to cross, each wanting to move past him first!  This may not happen in other advanced countries because there they wait for a person to cross or there’re request signals but in those places but, there are other areas where people indulge in their interests first and then to that of others’

What has the world come to?  Look around and see: people everywhere are going about with their own interests at heart, which no doubt is good, but what about others?  Where’s the spirit in us which says, let me also take the other with me even as I seek my own good.  Taking Paul’s advice in our Scripture today is such a good thing, even though in today’s world with its warped values, it may seem out of sync.  But, were it practiced, the world would be a much better place; rather, today, if you look at the interests of others, they may look at you suspiciously wondering whether there’s an ulterior motive!

As Christians, we must look at our Scripture carefully and also put it into practice for it’s not a choice to be looking at the welfare of our fellow beings but a mandate from the Lord, Whose life if we see, we’ll notice that He lived for others and died for the world.  We therefore ask for that special Grace from our God to always live to be of help to others and think of our fellow sojourners as we move ahead.  God’s light will then always shine upon us.