When I put me first…

“When I put me first, everything else will fall into place.”

I was scrolling through Pinterest the other day when I saw these words splayed on a graphic. I see content like this often but for some reason these specific words have stuck with me in the days since. I keep mulling them over and feeling a deep sense of grief that this is the mentality a lot of people subscribe to for purpose and direction in life.

The reality is this thought saturates our society. It’s even a popular mindset in Christian circles. Sometimes it’s so subtle we don’t even notice it penetrating our thoughts. Our world is riddled with the philosophy that we hold the power to fix, help and satisfy ourselves.

But friends. This is entirely untrue. And unbiblical.

We don’t.

We can’t.

Because here is just a taste of what the Word of God tells us:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

“And anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matt. 10:38-39)

“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matt. 22:37-39)

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17)

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20)

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matt. 6:24)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33)

“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Cor. 3:5)

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21)

The Bible says nothing about putting ourselves first let alone about their being any kind of fruit or blessing in doing so.

It is entirely counter-intuitive and counter-cultural but when we put JESUS first we find freedom. We find purpose. We find true life. We begin living an eternally-minded lifestyle. And when those things happen, that’s when pieces start falling into place the way they should.

Guard your hearts. The world wants you to live a me-first mentality. But this will only leave you turning up empty. Dissatisfied. Confused. Anxious. Depressed.

We are not enough.

We do not come first.

Nothing in this world satisfies.

Be Jesus—He does! Every single time. Don’t miss Him today ♥️