The “Age of Self”

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We are living in the age of “self.” From the popularized “selfie,” that has become so prevalent with cellular phone usage, to an ever-increasing number of self-help books, apps, websites, and so many ways to think of you. More accurately, “do you,” is the phrase that is constantly communicated in all forms of media, so much so, that I believe that it has caused us to become “self-consumed,” which creates a host of problems.

In the book of Mark 12:31 found in the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus said to “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” So, Jesus said that we are to love ourselves, and because Jesus said it in his word, I believe it wholeheartedly. Notice the portion of that scripture also instructs us to love, not only ourselves, but our neighbor. Now, our neighbor is anyone outside of your own household, it could be the cashier at the grocery store, or your mail delivery person, we are to show love to, and not just ourselves.

Now, back to the selfie. With these wonderful smart phones, we have the entire world contained in our palms. Many love taking pictures of themselves, selfies. There is even the selfie-stick, you a person wants to get the picture positioned according to their preferences without requiring any assistance. Yes, the selfie has become just as common as drinking a glass of water, or going to sleep at night. However, as with everything, there needs to be balance. I do not believe that it is appropriate to sit in church, a place where we go to worship God, and sit and take pictures of yourself. I think that it is an issue of being consumed with self. Please hear me with your heart, there is nothing wrong with taking a picture of yourself, but there is a time and a place for everything, and the middle of a church service when a sermon is being taught or preached is not the time, it simply isn’t.

At the heart of the matter is the fact that everything around us encourages us to put a tremendous amount of emphasis on ourselves, and if we adhere to this mentality, we find that we will think about others less, and less. Jesus wants us to love him with all of our hearts, our minds and our strength, according to Luke 10:27 of the New Testament, Jesus also commands that we are to, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and all your soul, and all of your mind, and when we even begin to align with these scriptures, it is impossible not to keep our self-love in it’s proper place, we have no problem expressing love to our neighbor, even perhaps to people that fail to show us love. My friend, don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the “age of self,” be wise, implement balance, for a life that is consumed with “self,” will undoubtedly become an empty life.

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Portia’s Perspective Staff Writer Portia Williams
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/04/web1_WilliamsPortia-3.jpgPortia’s Perspective Staff Writer Portia Williams

By Portia Williams

[email protected]

Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.

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