Look Outward

Dear church family, 

         Look outward.  The Christian life and perspective teaches us to look outward.  Look to Christ. Look to the beauty of God's creation. Look to the needs of others.

         This stands in contrast to the message that surrounds us within our culture. Look inwards. Understand yourself. Make sure your needs are met first. Your values should be prioritized over others' values. This is what the world teaches us.

       Yes, as Christians there is an expectation for introspection when it comes to recognizing our spiritual gifts, moral character, and recognizing our own weaknesses and inclination to sin. But, the predominant attitude we should carry as followers of Christ is an outward outlook.

      The fact that I can hear in my mind specific people within the church objecting to this is proof that the church is allowing society to define our attitude, instead of trusting God's preference for our attitude.

      According to Philippians 2, we are to have the mindset of Christ, who did not take advantage of his equality with God, but instead made himself nothing, taking on the nature of a servant - us humans - and humbled himself even all the way to death on the cross!  We likewise are to do nothing out of selfish ambition or pride.  Rather, we are to humbly consider others above ourselves, their interests prioritized over our interests. 

      Look outward.

      Look to Christ.

      Look to the beauty of God's creation.

      Look to the needs of others. 

      Let's look outward together. Amen.

Sincerely, 

Pastor Stasia Fine