Our Actions Speak Volumes About Who We Are

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A few days ago I suffered from what could have been, a moment of, ‘selfishness and entitlement.’

I had just completed several errands and had stopped at the last store for a final purchase. I retrieved the item I needed and headed to the shortest checkout line. When the purchase was complete I made my way to the exit where you guessed it—a long line of people stood before me with carts piled high of groceries and merchandise, waiting for the clerk to confirm their purchases. And there I stood with my one lone item in my hand. ONE. ITEM.

In my mind I was so tempted to go to the front of the line, wave my receipt at the clerk and walk out the door. Of course this scenario was playing out in my head while I was standing firmly in my place, in line, waiting my turn. I quickly recognized how selfish my thinking was. I also knew my Heavenly Father would be disappointed in my thoughts.

While cutting in line may have saved time on my part, it would have been a drain on my Christ like witness.

God’s word tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 that, ‘we have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial or constructive. And we should never seek our own good ahead of others.’

So that moment of the ‘I can do anything I want’ attitude was thankfully brief and short lived. You see that attitude is ‘so not me.’  My parents taught me to never be selfish or think I was entitled to anything, and my better half would have told me I could use a bit more patience to go with that faulty thinking.

Making appropriate choices speaks volumes. And thankfully it was easy to make the right decision. But the experience made me think about the following—does what I’m doing help my witness for Christ? Is it the best and most beneficial course of action? Am I thinking only of myself? Am I acting lovingly or selfishly?

I have shortcomings for sure and I’m not always proud when my weaknesses shine through. But my upbringing in His word and my commitment to be more like Him reminds me of who I am and who I belong to.

We all have moments that we are less than our best. The part I’m extremely grateful and thankful for, is I’m forgiven.

I’ll be praying for you.