Alex on #Selflessness

Two years ago, my experiences at Varsity were very different from how they are now. Back then, my approach to Varsity consisted of arriving on time, sitting alone (or with someone whose friends didn't show up) and leaving as soon as Varsity was over. Don't get me wrong -- I loved the messages and I worshiped with the music. But I wasn't connecting with fellow students. I think most of the problem was that I was only concerned about myself. I was logging in my time with God, as you might keep track of summer reading minutes or hours at work. I wasn't connecting; I wasn't caring for other people. I expected them to care about my life and my circumstances, but I didn't care about their lives or their circumstances. This carried over into many areas of my life.

At Varsity tonight, we talked about being selfless. Basically, selflessness is the act of putting others before yourself or giving more than you take. It's loving other people with not only our words, but with our actions. It's recognizing what others do for us; it's giving up our time, stuff and/or money for others. It's asking Maddie how she's getting along with her new stepmom; it's inviting Vince to the game with your friends, even though he's a little weird. It's volunteering at a local organization or going on a foreign mission trip. It's considering someone else in your decision-making.

If we give Jesus all of us, even our dreams, our feelings and our personal opinions -- Jesus can use us to do extraordinary things. In the third and fourth chapters of Acts, Peter and John introduced a crippled man to the saving power of Jesus and the man was healed. He got up and walked! The people around were interested in this miracle, and they began to gather around. Peter, being selfless and giving himself to God, began preaching. And guess what the people said? "When [the nearby people] saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13) These two ordinary guys were incredible because they spent time with God. They gave all of themselves to God and to others. They were selfless.

You can be used by God, too. Second Timothy 2:21 says, "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." Give Jesus everything you hold close. Be willing to give your time and resources to others. God can and will use you to bring others to Him.

Alex W / Message Writer