emp-TEA-ing

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:7, ESV)

All of us have dregs in our cup of life. Such a cuppa is usually filled up with SELF and needs to be emptied. Otherwise complaint seems to permeate and spill over to others. 

Complaint, the antithesis of contentment, comes when the goal of self, in its many forms, is blocked. Self-gratification. Self-fulfillment. Self-aggrandizement. Self-advancement.

How does one go about emp-TEA-ing all this self-centeredness?

David McCullough Jr. said it well in You Are Not Special: (Parade, 5/4/14, p. 4)

...The great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself!

A re-brew is needed. Emp-TEA self. Re-Brew selflessness.

A BIG cuppa selflessness is good for all....because it spills over and blesses others in our path.

Papal Wisdom

7/25/13  In Rio de Janeiro today, the Pope (Francis) said, "....we must do more to end the culture of selfishness." That's the only part I heard and I don't want to take it out of context. However, that reference to selfishness resonated in my own conscience. Working with high schoolers for several years opened my eyes to their expectation of instant gratification and their perceived unfairness if they were ever on the short end of any "they have, I want" stick. I blamed it on their self-centered age.

Not today. Today I saw myself afresh.  SELFISH (in all caps) brought me up short.

Philippians 2:3-4 is my defense. My weapon. I will use God's word to fill my mind. Hopefully, that will cast out all those ungrateful, selfish thoughts and allow me to see the Lord's truths in a fresh way.

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.

I'm not Roman Catholic, but I thank the Pope for his wise words. Words that took me to the Word. God's words that I need to keep at the forefront of my mind.