Unshackled Moments ~ July 10, 2018 ~ Selfishness That Blesses Others

The image to the right was what was spotted a couple of days ago while feeding my father's chickens. It's not the best photo, but you can get the idea of what was going on. The branch of the tree is being held down by the big white goat on the left, which is making it possible for the rest of the goats to eat the leaves off the end.

A friend of mine insisted that the white goat was holding the limb down so the others could eat. But no. She's not that selfless. She managed to get her legs on the limb enough to pull it down so that she could eat the leaves herself. You can see the leaves she was working on just above her head. The action just happened to lower the end so that the rest of the goats benefited as well. This is not some altruistic moment. In fact, from feeding these goats for my father on multiple occasions I can testify that she is a selfish feed hog who will step all over smaller goats to get her head in a feed pan. She has stepped on me more than once in her rush to eat as much as she can before any of the others get a chance.

But this image does make me think. Most times when we are selfish about satisfying our desires and needs all we do is hurt ourselves and others sooner or later. But God created these goats to eat this way, and it worked out for all involved. When we reach up to feed on what Daddy is providing, to have relationship and fellowship with Him it's a selfish act. OK, so it's not totally selfish. It's obedient and doing what Daddy desires for us to do. But it is what is best for us. It gives us what we need and brings satisfaction, contentment, peace, joy, love, etc. We may deny self and die to self to follow Jesus, but let's get honest here. If all we got out of that was misery and death, we wouldn't do it. We give our life to Him, and He gives us a better life, a life worth living, in its place.

That said, when we take care of our own needs through relationship with Daddy something amazing happens. Behind us, our selfish act of feeding on relationship doesn't bring destruction to others or deprive anyone. It actually helps those around us find it easier to access what feeds and sustains them as well. Man does not live on bread alone but in contact and relationship with our Creator, and when He is our source, our reaching out for that spiritual food will always enable others to eat more freely as well.


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