“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:1-4

Tomara’s Commentary: The April 27, 2009 Newsweek magazine has a very intriguing article entitled Generation Me – A new book says we’re in a narcissism epidemic. Why you’re not so special. The article raises the following questions: Why is it that wide receiver Terrell Owens declares at a press conference that being labeled selfish is fine with him? Why is it that a college student would say – “If I show up to every class then I deserve at least a B”? Why is it that Donald Trump names everything he owns after himself and calls his detractors “losers?” Why is it that society encourages everyone to be a star – even if it is only on YouTube? Why is it that students hate to be told what to do? Why is it that young people feel that they need to have a supersized ego?

After reading this article I thought to myself, “I realize that not every young person is like this, but I have met a lot of young people who fit this narcissism epidemic.” What happened to young people being generous and thoughtful? What happened to young people being filled with compassion? Do young people really know what humility is? What happened to respect and being courteous and being helpful? What happened to putting others first?

Who of us adults have sat down recently with our children and discussed how we can really put others first? Are we instilling the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) within each other and within our children? Or are we too concerned that our own children will feel like failures if they don’t get what they want and in the process fail to teach them the resiliency skills they need when Mommy and Daddy can’t fix something?

Will you focus this week on the following words of Paul found in Philippians chapter 2: (The Message) If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. 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.