Just About Sums it Up

Scripture: People are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. 2 Timothy 3:2-4

Observation: This is Paul's summary list how people will behave in the end-times. It is a comprehensive list of unsavory behaviors, but the truth is that they all have one common thread running through them. Every adjective in this list prioritizes one's own self over anyone else. From the narcissistic characteristics of some of these, to the cruel and uncaring implications of others, Paul is saying that, in the end-times, people will do anything and everything to self-promote and advance themselves both economically and socially, while stepping on anyone everyone else ... those trying to protect them, those trying to prevent them, and those just unfortunate enough to be around them.

Application: Yup, this just about sums up society today. I can spend 10 minutes on any social media platform and find examples of people doing exactly everything listed. I would even go far as to say that, when I meet a stranger, this is the list of characteristics I assume they have unless and until they prove differently. Likewise, it is probably how others expect me to behave.

And somehow, we have reached a point where everyone is okay with this. Sure, we might regret it - wish differently of society - but it isn't changing.

I heard a person say the other day that our society has devolved so rapidly into this state that it is not recognizable if placed side-by-side with social norms of just 40 years ago. While that may not be entirely true ... certainly people have always had levels of these traits in them, or how else would Paul know to talk about them ... I would state the de-evolution of societal morality has accelerated for sure.

I am not above this. I have exhibited everything on this list, too ... some of them in the last 24 hours. I wish I wasn't like this. Perhaps, as I continue to think about how I can be a better person, a good starting point would be to try to exhibit none of THESE characteristics. That would be a great start.

The way to do that is to love others more and more, and to care about myself less and less.

Prayer: Lord, again I ask today for you to continue to soften my heart. Help me to love others, and also help me to not love myself or care so much about my life. May I care about me only in the context of you. Amen.