Beyond Focus on Self

Scripture Passage that Caught My Attention today: 2 Samuel 19:4-6 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your officers who have saved your life today, and the lives of your sons and your daughters, and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 6 for love of those who hate you and for hatred of those who love you. You have made it clear today that commanders and officers are nothing to you; for I perceive that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.

Observation: While leaders must attend to self, they cannot do so exclusively. David was experiencing deep personal grief because of the death of his son, even though Absalom had betrayed him. Yet he needed to find a way to move beyond that so that the people would see that they too were valued.

Application: It is easy to focus on self—one’s own challenges and/or desires. This is natural and, to some extent, necessary. To ignore such realities will surely take its toll.

But by the same token, overly focusing on them can become all-consuming and, in fact, detrimental.

One of the side benefits of prayer is that, as we combine prayer for self with prayer for others, we strike a healthy balance. Remembering others’ circumstances helps us keep perspective on our own.

David had every reason to grieve. The people had every reason to celebrate. David needed to keep both reasons in mind, though he needed Joab’s prodding to do so.

Prayer: Lord, help us always to be in touch with our own feelings/situations and those of others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: 2 Samuel 19-20, Psalm 55, and Matthew 28)