“What’s in it for me?”  Have we not become more and more a society that is focused on the “I”?  I want this; I want to do such and such; It’s all about me!  It’s about what I want – what I need, and how will it affect me!  If I do this…what is the payoff?  I have even seen TV commercials that say, “It’s all about you” or translated, “It’s all about me!”  However, I believe this mentality is the beginning of a very dangerous downhill slope for our communities, our society, and for the world.  Jesus did not die on the cross for his sake – but for others!  In fact – For YOU!

In Hebrews 6:1-12, St. Paul warns us how easy it is to fall away from Christ.  I am guilty! We can get so focused on our own problems, what we need, and how we will make our ends meet, that we forget about others who are so much more worse off than us!  It is not an easy thing to do to always put the needs of others before our own needs.  But, if you think about it, is that not what Christ did for us?  But, what is the payoff?  What is in it for us?  Well, the obvious answer is our salvation!  And, while it is not your good works that will grant you salvation, it is your faith and your response to the love Christ showed you!  I like to think of it as a domino effect.  It’s just how we roll as Christians.  St Paul states, “For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake…that through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 69-11).

I told my husband the other day, “Just think…there will be a day when we no longer hurt or in pain…”  Think of the hope we have in that!  There is a place in Christ Jesus where everyone gets along, all are made whole, and the love God gives is so undeniable, unfathomable, and indescribable.  That’s the payoff!

Let us pray…Gracious God, we love you so much, but it is so easy to set our minds on the right things.  We tend to forget what the payoff means for us.  Help us to always put you first and remember that we are to love you like you love us – even the willingness to go to the cross.  In your name we pray, Amen.