So, do you know George Martin? He died, aged 90, yesterday in London. He is often referred to as the “5th Beatle.” Sir George was a producer, a classically trained musician, whose skill and training helped to make the boys of Liverpool into an international sensation. He offered his expertise to shape their raw talent into a marketable sound and guided them for 8 years, from 1962 to 1970. Billions of people know about the music of the Beatles. Only a few people, in comparison, know about the man behind the scenes.
Who contributed to helping you to become who and what you are today? In whom are you investing yourself? They are worthy questions. Are you consumed with building your own reputation? Are you careful to get credit that you believe is due you in each situation?
Think about this wisdom from the Spirit. "Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself." (Philippians 2:3-5, The Message)
I look back over my 6 decades of life and realize that at key moments, God brought people my way who made a difference. Some walked alongside of me for a few months, others have been friends for years. Some have been critics whose words stung, others have been encouragers who cheered me on. A few have mentored me, showing me how to live. What a debt of gratitude I owe!
“Help others get ahead!” The whole idea of selflessness is a basic part of our Christian experience. That passage in the letter to the Philippian church bases the entire reason for our genuine love for others on the example of Jesus who "Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to." (Philippians 2:6, NLT)
The Second Person of the Trinity became a humble man for my sake and yours. He had nothing to gain, nothing to add to his resume, no profit motive. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9, NIV) He loved us and, seeing our need, entered into our experience to save us. Imagine how different our relationships would look if we stopped looking out for number one and loved like that?
Here is a word from the Word. Meditate on it. Ask the Spirit to make you aware of those with whom you will walk today and then, invest yourself! "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:24-25, NIV)
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We Will Stand (Russ Taff sings an anthem of unity)
Sometimes it's hard for me to understandWhy we pull away from each other so easilyEven though we're all walking the same roadYet we build dividing wallsBetween our brothers and ourselves
But I don't care what label you may wearIf you believe in Jesus you belong with meThe bond we share is all I care to seeAnd we'll change the world foreverIf you will join with meJoin and sing sing
You're my brother, you're my sisterso take me by the handTogether we will work until He comesThere's no foe that can defeat usWhen we're walking side by sideAs long as there is loveWe will stand
The day will come when we will be as oneAnd with a mighty voiceTogether we will proclaim that JesusJesus is KingIt will echo through the earthIt will shake the nationsAnd the world will see see that
You're my brother you're my sisterSo take me by the handTogether we will work until He comesThere's no foe that can defeat usWhen we're walking side by sideAs long as there is loveWe will stand
James Hollihan | Russ Taff | Tori Taff © 1983 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) CCLI License # 810055
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