Trent Ruble's Blog: The Other Way It Is - Posts Tagged "selfishness"

I'm not a blogger, although I might take it up. I've been reading others' blogs and get the feeling that most of them are trying to espouse their views on this or that. This is very appropriate for me as I have lots of views, better known as "opinions." But, convincing others of the value of one's opinion is not a very efficient process, I've noticed. Much effort is often expended when one group attempts to sway another to their position, almost always without success. We see these attempts everywhere from bumper stickers and t-shirts to billboards and blogs.



It seems that once we've made our position known, we can't very well change it without looking like a "flip-flopper!" And, not only that, we likely chose our original position out of selfish motivation. So, in order to change someone's position, it would likely be necessary to appeal to their selfishness, which is difficult considering our own selfish nature.

I've also noticed blogs in which people promote causes involving conditions of which they are a victim. For example, people with a "juvenile diabetes" blog most likely have a family member with the disease, etc... There is certainly nothing wrong with that. I also support the fight against juvenile diabetes and all other diseases. But, wouldn't it be more powerful if people who were not directly affected were also advocates? We should all support the causes that are most necessary for our society to achieve greatness and not just the ones that benefit us individually.

I want to go on record by saying that I, a male, support breast cancer research (I know males can be victims but we all know they are the overwhelming minority). I, a white male, support the equal treatment of those of all races and both genders. And, I, a person having been born, support the rights of the unborn to have a life. Oh, and I support world peace (but not at the expense of those things worth fighting for).

I guess the point of this article is for us all to get on board and fight the problems common to everyone.

If it weren't for our feelings of entitlement, we'd get along a lot better. It seems that everyone is quick to be offended when someone doesn't treat them the way they "deserve," or respect them just because they've demanded it. Maybe if we were more concerned with others than we are with ourselves, there'd be a lot less disagreement.

OK, the truth is; I'm guilty of feeling entitled to certain things as well. Sometimes, because of my age or experience, I expect not to be treated as a novice. I think that's normal, but it's not healthy for me or for society.

God tells us, through Paul's letter to the Philippians, to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV1984). And, if we look at the way Jesus conducted Himself, we see the One who is most powerful submitting to those He created, at least while He was on the earth. Why can't I be more like Him? I want to be, but "I" keep getting in the way.



If I can't be like Him, then I can at least be like my grandmother, Dora Murphy Ruble. She was a humble lady whose name you won't find in history books or news stories. Grandma has been gone a long time now (she died in 1974), but while she was alive, she modeled herself after Jesus and, in doing so, had a way of making everyone think they were her favorite. It's because she concerned herself with their needs over her own. We really miss her.

Let's be servants. Not because we are subordinate, but because we love others. It will change the world.