From Self-Centeredness to a Life of Love

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound difference between living a self-centered life and a centered life. We are all driven by a desire for significance, but this can often become distorted when we focus solely on ourselves. A self-centered life revolves around personal desires and well-being, leading to a narrow and often unsatisfying existence. In contrast, a centered life is rooted in values and purposes greater than oneself, providing stability and nourishment. This concept is beautifully illustrated in Paul's letter to the Colossians, where he encourages believers to be rooted and built up in Christ, living with gratitude and strength.

The animated movie "Inside Out" serves as a modern parable for this idea. It depicts a young girl's emotional journey as she navigates a major life change. The film highlights the importance of embracing all emotions, including sadness, as part of a flourishing life. Joy, while a central emotion, should not be idolized. Instead, it should be the foundation from which we engage with other emotions, as the Bible suggests. The character Bing Bong exemplifies selflessness and the joy of being centered in others, sacrificing himself for the well-being of the girl he loves.

This narrative echoes the greatest story of love, where one lays down their life for their friends. Jesus, the most centered person, lived a life focused on others, inviting us to do the same. By being centered in God and love for others, we become "eccentric" in the best sense—our center is outside ourselves. This shift from self-centeredness to being centered in others brings life and joy. It is a call to be genuinely interested in others, to be curious about their lives, and to serve them with love and care. This is the cruciform nature of life, where true significance is found in making a difference in the lives of others.

Key Takeaways:

- Self-Centered vs. Centered Life: A self-centered life focuses on personal desires and well-being, often leading to dissatisfaction. In contrast, a centered life is rooted in values and purposes greater than oneself, providing stability and nourishment. This shift from self-centeredness to being centered in others brings true significance and joy. [00:31]

- Embracing All Emotions: The movie "Inside Out" illustrates the importance of embracing all emotions, including sadness, as part of a flourishing life. Joy should be the foundation from which we engage with other emotions, as the Bible suggests, but it should not be idolized. [04:25]

- The Power of Selflessness: Bing Bong's sacrifice in "Inside Out" exemplifies the joy of being centered in others. His selflessness echoes the greatest story of love, where one lays down their life for their friends, inviting us to live a life focused on others. [08:59]

- Being Eccentric in Love: To be "eccentric" means having a center outside oneself, being centered in God and love for others. This shift from self-centeredness to being centered in others brings life and joy, as we become genuinely interested in and curious about others. [09:55]

- The Cruciform Nature of Life: True significance is found in making a difference in the lives of others. By being de-centered from ourselves and re-centered in Jesus, we experience the cruciform nature of life, where love and service to others bring fulfillment and joy. [11:53]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - The Drive for Significance
- [00:42] - Self-Centered vs. Centered Life
- [01:26] - Stability and Rootedness
- [01:57] - Rooted in Christ
- [02:42] - Parable of "Inside Out"
- [03:37] - The Inner World of Emotions
- [04:25] - Embracing All Emotions
- [05:22] - Joy as a Basic Orientation
- [06:15] - The Power of Selflessness
- [07:39] - Bing Bong's Sacrifice
- [08:59] - Greater Love and Sacrifice
- [09:55] - Being Eccentric in Love
- [10:25] - Genuine Interest in Others
- [11:53] - The Cruciform Nature of Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 2:6-7 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
2. John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be "rooted and built up in Christ" according to Colossians 2:6-7? How does this relate to the concept of a centered life? [01:57]

2. In the sermon, how is the movie "Inside Out" used to illustrate the importance of embracing all emotions? What role does sadness play in the girl's decision-making process? [04:51]

3. How does the character Bing Bong in "Inside Out" exemplify selflessness, and what is the significance of his sacrifice? [08:59]

4. What does it mean to be "eccentric" in love, as described in the sermon? How does this concept relate to being centered in God and others? [09:55]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does being "rooted and built up in Christ" provide stability and nourishment in a believer's life? What might this look like in practical terms? [01:57]

2. The sermon suggests that joy should be the foundation from which we engage with other emotions. How can this perspective change the way we handle emotions like sadness or anger? [05:22]

3. In what ways does Bing Bong's sacrifice in "Inside Out" reflect the biblical principle of laying down one's life for others? How does this challenge our understanding of selflessness? [08:59]

4. The sermon describes a shift from self-centeredness to being centered in others as bringing life and joy. How might this shift impact one's relationships and community involvement? [11:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you find yourself living self-centeredly? What steps can you take to become more centered in Christ and others? [01:26]

2. Consider a recent situation where you experienced a strong emotion. How did you handle it? How might embracing all emotions, as suggested in the sermon, change your response in the future? [04:25]

3. Think of someone in your life who exemplifies selflessness. What specific actions do they take that you can learn from and incorporate into your own life? [08:59]

4. Identify a relationship or community you are part of. How can you become more genuinely interested and curious about the lives of others in that context? [10:25]

5. The sermon talks about being "eccentric" in love, with a center outside oneself. What practical steps can you take this week to focus more on others rather than yourself? [09:55]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt significant by making a difference in someone else's life. How can you create more opportunities for such experiences? [11:53]

7. How can you incorporate the idea of being "rooted and built up in Christ" into your daily routine, ensuring that your actions and decisions are aligned with your faith? [01:57]

Devotional

Day 1: The Shift from Self-Centeredness to True Significance
A self-centered life often leads to dissatisfaction as it focuses solely on personal desires and well-being. In contrast, a life centered on values and purposes greater than oneself provides stability and nourishment. This shift from self-centeredness to being centered in others brings true significance and joy. By rooting ourselves in something greater, we find a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose. This concept is beautifully illustrated in Paul's letter to the Colossians, where he encourages believers to be rooted and built up in Christ, living with gratitude and strength. [00:31]

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you are primarily focused on your own desires. How can you begin to shift your focus to align with a greater purpose or value today?


Day 2: Embracing the Full Spectrum of Emotions
The animated movie "Inside Out" illustrates the importance of embracing all emotions, including sadness, as part of a flourishing life. Joy, while a central emotion, should not be idolized. Instead, it should be the foundation from which we engage with other emotions, as the Bible suggests. By acknowledging and accepting the full range of emotions, we allow ourselves to experience a more authentic and fulfilling life. This approach encourages us to see emotions as valuable guides rather than obstacles. [04:25]

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." (Romans 12:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you suppressed an emotion. How can you allow yourself to fully experience and learn from that emotion today?


Day 3: The Joy of Selflessness
Bing Bong's sacrifice in "Inside Out" exemplifies the joy of being centered in others. His selflessness echoes the greatest story of love, where one lays down their life for their friends. This narrative invites us to live a life focused on others, finding joy and fulfillment in acts of selflessness. By prioritizing the well-being of others, we discover a deeper sense of purpose and connection. This selfless approach to life aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who demonstrated the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. [08:59]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a way you can practice selflessness today. What is one specific action you can take to prioritize someone else's needs over your own?


Day 4: Being Eccentric in Love
To be "eccentric" means having a center outside oneself, being centered in God and love for others. This shift from self-centeredness to being centered in others brings life and joy, as we become genuinely interested in and curious about others. By focusing on the needs and stories of those around us, we cultivate a life of love and service. This approach encourages us to step outside our comfort zones and engage with the world in a meaningful way. [09:55]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you haven't connected with recently. How can you show genuine interest and love towards them today?


Day 5: The Cruciform Nature of Life
True significance is found in making a difference in the lives of others. By being de-centered from ourselves and re-centered in Jesus, we experience the cruciform nature of life, where love and service to others bring fulfillment and joy. This perspective invites us to live a life marked by compassion, empathy, and action. By aligning our lives with the teachings of Jesus, we find a deeper sense of purpose and joy in serving others. [11:53]

"And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:44-45, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent opportunity to serve others that you missed. How can you prepare yourself to seize similar opportunities in the future?

Quotes


But first you were made to cow you were made to have an impact on other people you have a drive for significance and that's what we're talking about that's a real good thing but it gets distorted easily so I want to talk today for a few moments about two words that sound quite similar but are actually a world apart and that is the decision to be centered or to be self-centered. [00:31]

Now to be self-centered means that my world is really arranged around myself and as I have a person that we knew many many years ago and we would sometimes talk with them by saying you know your temptation is to think here's the world and here's uh uh no no here's me and here's the world that the world is revolving around me and in fact the world doesn't revolve on me when I live a self-centered life my focus is my own well-being and particularly my own desires I'm what my will to be done. [00:54]

If you are a centered person you cannot be centered in yourself to be centered the idea there is that there's a kind of stability or a kind of rootedness that I'm not just a tumbleweed that's blown around anywhere, but that I have a deep source of attachment and nourishment to a purpose or values that are greater than myself. [01:29]

Think about uh Paul's letter to the church at colossian in the second chapter where he says just as you receive Christ continue to live in him rooted and built up in him being strengthened in your face and overflowing with gratitude with thankfulness and that image of being rooted in something that is deeper than myself or my own desires is Central to human life. [01:57]

Part of the thrust of the film is to recognize that to live a flourishing centered life, I have to make space for all the emotions of my life and I cannot deify any of them or shut any of them down the Temptation is particularly within emotion like sadness that will not want to experience sadness and so part of what happens is Joy draws a little circle and says to sadness you cannot leave this circle. [04:25]

To embrace the reality of all of our emotions is clear and at the same time to recognize from a new testament perspective that Joy is made to be the basic posture of the basic orientation out of which we operate, um on all the other emotions the Bible puts certain kind of limits let everyone be slow to anger James says fear not comes up over and over again and when it comes to sadness weeping endures for a night but joy cometh in the morning. [05:22]

If I idolize Joy rather than worshiping God and demand that I have a certain kind of inner experience it will never work and I will forever actually be at the mercy of my emotions and that leads to self-centered living we are called to be centered in others. [05:56]

Instead of being sad about his own fate, he is so deeply glad that Joy is going to be able to make it back to the girl that he loves and help her to flourish that he's dancing up and down we did it we did it we did it and then he says take her to the moon for me. [08:58]

Greater love has no one than this that a person should lay down their life for their friends and that is why we are to Center our lives in Jesus for he was the most centered person who ever lived and his life is centered in others. [09:55]

To be other centered eccentric concentric circles all share the same Center to be eccentric means to have a center that is outside of the circle outside of the self and we are to be centered in God and then centered into love for others so that's the invitation today. [10:25]

God could you help me go through this life-centered rooted in Jesus not living at the mercy of my circumstances and whether I think something good or bad has happened as it relates to me would you help me be centered in love for you and love for others de-centered eccentric from myself. [10:58]

As long as my life is self-centered it will be miserable it is death but when it gets de-centered when it gets centered into others genuinely interested in other people life flows back at me it just simply works that way that is the cruciform nature of life that's part of what happens when we live to make a difference in the lives of others. [11:53]

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Transcript
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