Two Sides to the Same Coin

The world as of late has felt like a lot of “Me, me, me” where people tend to only focus within and on their own needs. Everyone wants his or her own recognition. Everyone expects others to look after him or her. Everyone has decided that they are the most important thing out there – the coolest thing since sliced bread if you will. And this is totally fine. I’m all about having self-confidence and believing in yourself but there’s definitely a fine line. Let’s get into it.

Now, focusing on yourself is an important part of life. Mental health is essential to have as a high priority, and that’s something that should be encouraged for all to take seriously. For real, if it’s ever crossed your mind, go to therapy. You go to the gym to work out your muscles – it’s the same thing for your brain and heart. However, there’s a huge difference between introspection and selfishness. The “Me, me, me” that comes with checking on your mentals and seeking help when needed is a matter of improving yourself with the goal and eventual result of being a better person for others. Getting yourself good to then contribute to society, your community, your relationships, others. The “Me, me, me” that comes with selfishness is to improve yourself at the EXPENSE of others and their well-being – whoa huge difference here. But it’s two sides to the same coin. In biology terms, it is the difference between mutualism – think the little fish that clean sharks for protection - and parasitism – think ticks hopping on board after a trip through the woods. Check out pictures below if you’re not familiar or simply haven’t had a Bio class in a while. 

In 1 Peter 4:10, it is said that “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” This doesn’t sound like parasitism or selfishness or hoarding your talents or your resources or your time. It sounds like we are being pushed by Peter to use what we have to improve the lives of others, to engage in mutualism.

If you look in a car engine or heck even the human body, each is composed of parts that must work together in order to have the whole function. And if one part, no matter how big or small, is faulty, the integrity of the whole is at risk. We must look at ourselves as the piston in an engine or the ribosomes in a cell. What we do is essential to our community thriving and if we withhold our skills, our talents, and our time, we are ultimately harming the whole. Think about how incredible the world would be if everyone brought their absolute best to the table for the betterment of “us.” It’s a pretty cool thought to be honest.

So to wrap things up with a bow, look inward yes, of course, but make sure that you are worrying about yourself in order then to serve others. Just like Peter tells us to do. And when you flip that coin, make sure it lands on what God intended you to do.