My wife recently shared a few lines with me from a book she read. These words have been echoing in my heart as I was thinking about the upcoming new year. In the book, the author says that we need to praise God for the invitation to grow through learning to celebrate what others love.

This has been especially important for me lately, having a two-year-old daughter. I am constantly leaving my comfort zone as a man in his thirties and learning to love playing with baby dolls, painting nails, and pretending to shop at Target. I do these activities because I want to invest in my daughter’s interests and build a connection with her. As I was thinking about
these things, I was reminded of Philippians 2:4, which says, “Let each of you look not only at his own interests but also at the interests of others.” What a simple statement that carries so much weight and can serve as such an important reminder of loving people the way that Jesus loves them. This verse is a call to selflessness and, I believe, an essential part of becoming who God has designed us to be. As we enter 2024, let’s take the time with a humble heart to thoughtfully consider the needs and interests of others before our own. 

Take a few minutes to read Philippians 2. 

Prayer:

Think about a person in your life that you interact with daily and say a prayer asking God to show you how He sees that person. Ask Him to show you some insight into that person’s interests and help you get to know their heart better so you can connect with them on a deeper level. Drop them a note, blessing them and giving thanks for them.

Chris Ivanich