So Long Self

So Long Self

Love One Another

Today's scripture reading was a familiar one, but one that begs to challenge us to be more loving, compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient... to be more for others and less for ourselves.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)

It may seem at first glance that the first part of this scripture reading really does speak a lot about ourselves. But really, this is a depiction of how we should prepare ourselves in order to interact lovingly with each other. And the reason for that is that we are "God's chosen people" (v. 12) and we are to love and forgive "as the Lord forgave [us]" (v. 14).

From verse 15 onwards, it more clearly explains that this change in wardrobe is a change from the inside out. Instead of our own desires lying in our hearts, "the peace of Christ [should] rule in [our] hearts". Not only that, but the message of Christ should "dwell among [us] richly". The word should be in our hearts and on our lips and in our homes and everywhere we are... like another roommate... dwelling where you are. And finally, it should be in our actions... whatever we do, "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus". This picture of our lives is less about us and more about Christ in our hearts, our home, our actions, our words, our songs.

A new song that I really appreciate by 'MercyMe' has a rather interesting title, but it does describe that to make room for this new wardrobe, this change in words, thoughts, actions, we must say 'So long self.' Humorously, the song sounds like a 'break-up'.

-But, in a way, we do have to break our ties with our own selfish desires in order to make room for Christ to rule in our hearts.
-We must let go of our own thoughts for those of God in order to have Christ dwell among us richly.
-And we must let go of our own ambition in order to do everything in the name of Christ.

So have you said "So long, Self"? As they say it in the song?

Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry
So long, self (MercyMe)

Today we pray for God to enter our lives and rule our hearts and guide us in the ways to love each other more and more... helping us as we put on the clothes of compassion, gentleness, humility, kindness, patience and love.