Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Yippee! I got a window seat! I had not flown on an airplane in a long time. But now, here I sat, headed for Rhode Island to help my daughter with our two grandsons while her husband was out of town. I could hardly have been more excited. Getting a window seat in a crowded plane only added to my enthusiasm. I was ready to pull out my book and—with occasional glimpses out the window—enjoy my ride. I mean, God gave me the window seat to enjoy, right?
Not if he’s telling me to strike up a conversation with the woman seated next to me.
I didn’t need a WWJD bracelet to sense the nudge of the Holy Spirit. So I began talking with her. I soon discovered she and her husband were from India. They had both attended school in the States and were now working in the tech industry, she in the Philadelphia area and he in Dallas. They were only able to get together on weekends, about once a month. She told me they had been married for two years, the product of an arranged marriage.
This not only fascinated me, but led to a place of common ground as we discussed the value of marriage. I encouraged her to work through the strains that can come with a distant relationship. And when I told her I would be praying for her and her husband, she readily agreed. By the time we landed in Boston, she was asking how she could read one of my books!
But none of that would have happened, had I chosen to do what I felt like doing. I would have been quite comfortable to just read my book. But God had more in mind than for me to be comfortable in my window seat.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe God wants to load us down with all kinds of blessings. But when the good things become more important than God, we have a serious problem. Paul cautioned us to look out for the interests of others, not just our own. It’s a good reminder that life is about more than being comfortable.
It’s about more than getting a window seat. Don’t miss it!