During the early years of DenverWorks, our staff started a cool practice. When one of our clients would get a job, someone on staff would ring a bell. We’d all jump up from our desks and high five and whoop and holler and celebrate. There was such joy in “looking to the interests of others” as in Philippians 2:3-4, which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

That pretty much sums up our remarkable staff. They were unselfish, constantly celebrating the victories of others.

I miss those days.

Seems self-centeredness is being modeled and promoted these days. It takes a lot of intentionality, maturity, and “other-orientation” to choose another path.

An other path, so to speak.

President Eisenhower said, “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”

I’m not trying to sound all holy, but seriously, we might need to consider a little personal sacrifice for the common good. This isn’t socialism. It’s biblicism. (Revisit Philippians 2:3-4 above.)

As we vote, let’s remember that. Those who buy into fear-based, hate-filled rhetoric are missing the point, not to mention the blessings. We have the opportunity to do quite the opposite, to LEAN INTO relationship with others, especially those who are different in some way than we are. We have the opportunity to practice MLK’s words every day. “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” THAT’S what will change our nation.  

To unify and move from “me first” to “you first” (from selfishness to altruism) would be celebratory, like ringing a million bells a day.