I recently read an article in "The Washington Street Journal" by Robert Scherrer, a college professor. I'll explain later just what this has to do with selfies, but read this snippet...it really had me laughing.
(begin quote)
College Visits: When did looking for a college turn into a modern version of the 18th-century Grand Tour? The first time I saw my college was when my parents dropped me off to start my freshman year. Now a college search involves traipsing the width and breadth of the United States. All this, when getting information is easier than ever. My children can go online and learn the course requirements for any program at any university in a matter of minutes. They can look up the content of every class offered, and check out which ones are scheduled late enough to let them sleep until noon. So why the cross-country junkets?
The Answer: the elusive idea of "fit." A prospective student is supposed to step onto the college quad, be struck on the forehead by a ray of light, feel a sense of divine inspiration, and say: "Yes I have found It. This is the place I belong." Do you want to know my definition of "fit"? A good fit is a college that your parents can afford with a strong program in the field you want to study. Plus a place to buy Cheetos at midnight. (end quote)
Not long before I read this article, I was "blessed" enough to see a video-gone-viral of some college sorority girls at a baseball game...humor me and take a gander won't you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLtrJCFNeX0
I must admit, I'm not big on selfies of myself. It's either "ooohh"... bad hair day..."uh oh"...wrinkles like the grand canyon..."oh dear"....turkey gizzard neck..."my-oh-my" nose looks huge. The only redeeming quality is that you can't see my tummy roll in most head-shot selfies lol.
But seriously, what do the snippet from the WSJ and the video have in common?
The emphasis on "I", "Me", and "Where does the center of my universe lie?"
What can my university do for me, instead of what value can I add to this university?? Big difference.
So, do I think Jesus would take a selfie??? After all, a cool gangsta pic with the lame man, now walking, would probably get a lot of "Likes" on Facebook...
But, No, I don't think Jesus would take a selfie and here's why....
Jesus does not need to draw attention to himself or build himself up. After all He's part of the triune Godhead of the Universe. He doesn't need anyone's likes or dislikes. He really doesn't NEED anyone or anything at all. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the great I am!
What Jesus is truly about is others and in particular reaching out and touching others.
I counted at least 20 miracles in the Bible where Jesus stopped, reached out and touched or was touched, and in doing so...He healed.
Jesus literally forgot about himself and was focused on the needs of others: a man with leprosy, blind men in Capernaum, a woman who could not stand straight, a sick boy, the dead son of a widow, a lame man, and others with diseases too many to name.
His hand followed His heart...and His heart was truly with others.
Even in His miracles of healing, it wasn't just about healing that one person. Jesus' miracles were symbolic...meant to enlighten all sinners who watched and who also needed saving. See if you can see the symbolism in the account of the blind man just out side Bethsaida:
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village." (Mark 8:22-26)
Here's Jesus opening the eyes of the blind...both literally and figuratively.
Wouldn't this be the best moment for a selfie? Everyone joyous, smiling, SEEING!! But no, Jesus sends the man on his way and, furthermore, tells him not to go into the village. In other words...don't cause a commotion or broadcast what Jesus had just done.
Jesus is, in essence, the "anti-selfie". God, Jesus' Heavenly Father, is at the center of Jesus' universe, then comes others, then comes himself.
We are all selfish and vain creatures to a certain extent. Left alone in a large empty room to think, we soon start thinking about our own problems and the thoughts turn inward.
What if, for a moment, we thought about the people outside the room, on the other side of the door, on the other side of the globe?
What if instead of focusing inward we turned our hearts outward and THEN let our hands follow in order to touch those who then we see. Those who need us to do something? What if?
What...
if?
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for being all about, and consumed with myself. You created me first - to love You. Then you said - love others. Help me to rearrange my priorities to be aligned with Your heart. Help me not only to see, but to be brave enough to reach out and touch...to extend a helping hand. There are people walking around blind. Give me courage to share the Good News that would open their veiled eyes. Where there is disease, and death, and dying, let me shine light, and love, and hope. In short, help me to be more like Jesus. It is in His precious name that I pray, Amen.
Be blessed...
Ps. Next week I will be attending the Allume Conference for Christian writers and bloggers so I will not be posting. I pray that I will return renewed and rekindled with ways to share His love. I invite you, in the meantime, to peruse the Archives...
Update on Redeemer Christian School: PRAISE! I spent a lot of time this week working on matching 30 orphaned and destitute children at the school with their sponsors who have committed to sponsoring them for this year. What JOY! We still have so many needs: tables and chairs (so the children don't have to sit on carpets on the hard ground all day), printer, projector, textbooks, 2 laptops for 30 children to share, notebooks, art supplies, etc. ***Contributions toward the $400 filing fee for 501c3 status***
Our ultimate dream is to have our own building...we believe in miracles!
If you can help out in any way...no gift is too small...would you visit us at the "MISSIONS" tab and consider reaching out and touching?
