Living for Others
OK, I want to do a second week on Booker T Washington and his book Up From Slavery, which had quite an impact on me. This was a powerful quote on page 63: "One of the things that impressed itself deeply upon me at Hampton” - that's the place that he studied — “was the unselfishness of the teachers. It was hard for me to understand how any individuals could bring themselves to the point where they could be so happy in working for others before the end of the year, I think I began learning that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others. This lesson I have tried to carry with me ever since."
And he said it again on page 70: "The happiest individuals are those who do the most to make others useful and happy."
And then what about these words on page 164: "Any person's life will be filled with constant unexpected encouragements if he makes up his mind to do his level best each day of his life in pure unselfish, useful living. I pity the man, black or white, who has never experienced the joy and satisfaction in making someone else more useful and more happy."
The Happiness Found in Living for Others
That really is the Jesus way, isn't it? Living for others. It reminds me of that great poem, and I'll never forget it because it was written in the leaflet of my grandfather's funeral, because he had a bookmark with this poem in his Bible which said:
Lord help me live from day-to-day
In such a self forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayer shall be for others.
Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true
And know that all I do for you
Must needs be done for others.
Others Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be
Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.
Who Will You Live For Today?
Who you going to live for today - yourself, or are you going to find the great joy that only comes by living for others? It's up to you. Choose wisely.
