I have an issue. Well, more like our society has an issue, and I tend to be part of the problem.

Almost every day I see our culture becoming more and more about “me, myself and I.” It is strewn all across our social media and implanted in practically every song, show or movie. We have become so fascinated with our individuality. We hear sayings like, “You have to take care of number one, first.” Business people, teachers and even pastors will at times encourage people around them to have this mindset. They encourage people to do whatever it takes to “get what’s yours.” We even have come to the point where we will publicly proclaim that we need no one else. Our culture has evolved to the idea that we can individually live this life on our own.

Here is my issue. I don’t believe this is possible. On top of that, I’m not so sure it is healthy.

I’m sure there may be some of you already thinking that I am hating on you or trying to steal your thunder. Please, just listen to what I have to say.

I firmly believe that the desire for individuality and personal gain is our problem today. Just think about it for a moment. Is it not because we live like this that there are people living on the streets or children dying because of lack of food and family? Is it not because of this that we see tragic events, such as mass shootings? Instead of focusing on what is greater for the people around us, we only consider our “needs” and thus act upon those.

What if we changed? What if we took a step back and thought to ourselves “How can I serve someone else?” What a world that would be. Imagine the progression we could make as a group if we were all concerned with each others well being.

See, I believe that all of this push for individuality is actually pulling us in the opposite direction of what we desire. We think we are benefiting ourselves and possibly, even others. In reality, it is like saying I want this goal and immediately walking in the opposite direction.

I have found that God has also given us this truth through his word.

In Philippians 2:5-8 it says, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”

1 Corinthians 10:24 says, “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.”

Matthew 20:25-28 says, “But Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

God makes it very clear that we will get nowhere unless we are servants to the people around us. Let me give you a picture to help you understand. Imagine that you are building a house made out of stone. So far, everything has gone well. All of the stones are working together, fitting perfectly, and this house is really beginning to take shape. Then, the cornerstone of the house decides it doesn’t want to be on the bottom. It decides that it should be placed in a higher, more esteemed position. It leaves and forgets about the rest of the stones. From that, more and more stones begin to have the same idea. They all wish to be the most important stone on the house. Then, your house would begin to crumble.

Now, you may be saying to yourself that this is such a childish example. Obviously, we know stones are not alive and cannot decide for themselves what’s best. It would simply be the the builders choice, and that’s the way it would stay. The creator of the house chooses where to put the stones. Honestly, I would agree with you, but here is my question. If that is true and those stones are meant to resemble us, why do we continue to tell the Builder (God) that He isn’t doing it right? When did the stones get to decide that the house should be about them and they choose their position?

I see so many post on Facebook or ads on TV about people wanting to end world hunger. Or they want to help orphaned children. Or they want to save the environment. I can’t help but think to myself, is that really what everyone wants? If that were the case, wouldn’t we have started acting in a way that supports that? Am I acting in such a way that would promote all of these desires?

Unfortunately, I am not seeing it.

So here is my challenge for myself, and I will even ask of you. Sit down for a moment and think. Go over your daily actions. Think about the things of life that you are pursuing. Ask yourself, will those really get you to the point that you are seeking? Is it really going to build that house? Or are you simply causing the house to crumble?

Thank you so much for reading! I hope this speaks to your heart as much as it has mine. I hope you all have an awesome day and please know that God loves you!