By Rev. Clint Perkins
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (35th President of the United States from January 1961 to November 1963) said near the conclusion of his 1961 inaugural address, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
My question is this: Are you making your country, city, county, social club, or church better? Or are you just along for the ride?
Jesus said in Mark 16:15 (NLT), “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” As followers of Jesus Christ, we should have the mindset to make everything we are part of better.
Sometimes that means taking a lead role. Sometimes it simply means being a cheerleader.
Several years ago, during Vacation Bible School, I had an eye-opening moment. The theme was JOY in Jesus. JOY stood for Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. With that mindset, it becomes easier to answer the question JFK asked.
Philippians 2:3 (NLT) says that nothing should be done out of pride or selfishness. Instead, think of other people as more important than yourself. It is very easy to be selfish. It is natural to want things to go our way—but that is not God’s way.
Until next week, let’s be intentional about making everything and everyone we come in contact with better.
Let’s start putting others first.
