Pastor’s Corner “Daddy, don't forget; ‘Jesus first, others second and yourself last’”, exclaims Rachel in an exasperated tone. That’s me being ‘encouraged’ to be more like Jesus by my 10 year daughter! We have adopted that little phrase as our family motto. It is reflected all over scripture. We have many calls to: love God, each other and even our enemies, at the same time we are called to die to self and take up our cross and follow him. We know of a young lad, 5 or 6, (no-one from down here), who has become well known for saying; ‘what about me?’. I can see him and hear him saying it now. It is almost comical with its consistency and predictability. He is only a child and like many at that age cannot see beyond himself. However, the tragedy is that this attitude pervades in our society at large. People do not see beyond themselves. Selfishness seems to reign, where the individuals needs, wants and desires come squarely first and everyone else's does not even get a look in. The only questions are; how does this affect me? Or how does this make me feel? I appreciate this is a generalisation, and I know there are exceptions. The challenge for us as a church and individuals is to be different. To be like Jesus; living that sacrificial life and seeking the blessing and good of others. Jesus left the glory and splendor of heaven, along with the worship and adoration of angels to be born in a sin stricken world. Where he was ultimately rejected and crucified. He did this as an act of obedience to the father so that you and I could have life, forgiveness and an eternity in heaven. Totally selfless! ‘Jesus first, others second and yourself last,’ perhaps sounds a little gimmicky to some. Perhaps that’s what you thought when you first read it, but we cannot escape the fact that it reflects scriptural principles and is patterned in Jesus’ incarnation, life and death. We need to follow in his footsteps. It is important that our speech and actions are determined and influenced by our desire to honour God and bless those around us. Please take the time and read some of the scripture references below and allow God’s word to encourage and challenge you. Matt 22:36-40, 1 Cor 10:24, Eph 4:29, Phil 2:3-4, Heb 13.16,1 Pet 4:10, Jn 15:9-17. richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK