I am passionate about looking after yourself, having good boundaries and getting rest. Mostly because I have spent a lot of my life being really bad at all the above – and I don’t enjoy the consequences. I have written a lot about these subjects here (See Boundaries 1 Boundaries 2 Rest and Know Yourself )
However as I continue to do my Master ‘s Thesis and read more (and I mean a lot more – who knows how people do PhD’S and work full time!) I am continually challenged by my motives and by what I believe is the core of the problems we have – self focus.
In a western world where the selfie is common and my dreams, my goals and my happiness are what we are pursuing it is so easy to take the message of self-care and make it all part of the cult of self.
The problem with the looking after yourself if you are the only focus is that it can just become another channel of self-absorption – and it can lead to a life that is tight and shrinking.
We have got to have the reasons we look after ourselves firmly anchored in a bigger picture.
We have to be looking after ourselves for the sake of the kingdom of God – for Heaven’s sake !
We have to know that :
We can’t be of use to Jesus if we are tired and burnt out.
We help our family and friends if we spend all our life at work
If we are not healthy we will spend our money on doctors bills and have nothing to be generous with
We have to look after ourselves for the sake of others.
It’s what Jesus talked about in the parable of the Good Samaritan – there was only one guy with the time, the money and the emotionally energy to stop . This story is not just about compassion – it is about staying healthy in every way – for the sake of others.
This week there are people who will need to support people who are caught in tragedy and loss in a world gone crazy – where children are being killed on rooftops and militants are shooting down planes full of people. Today if that was you – would you have the physical, emotional or spiritual strength to walk beside a friend in need?
I am so glad Jesus was emotionally, physically and spiritually strong enough to take the walk to the Cross.
Lets not allow self-care to become another reason we don’t reach out – let’s be so good at self-care SO that we are always ready to help .
Agree ? Disagree? Have more to add to help us all out- comment below !
(On a lighter note anyone know where the photo above is? Ticksy! I love cities- they are full of people !)
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