Other-Centered: A Key to Worship

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field,

keeping watch over their flocks by night.

Luke 2:8

Read Luke 2:8-20

Shepherds... they lived out in the field keeping watch... their hearts other-centered... not self-centered...

They did not live in town seeking social status or climbing ladders of corporate success... they looked out for sheep... without much thought to themselves... how they looked... or smelled...

Because they looked outside themselves they were available to receive the angelic message... the birth announcement of the Messiah...

They had the inclination... to go... seek out this wonder... because they were other-minded... and had a heart for worship...

Their outward seeking... and wonder-full worship... brought encouragement to a young mother who risked everything for this child... and spread the news to a people whom God had readied for this day...

An other-centered attitude opens a heart to God's message... prepares the heart for worship... glorifies Him... and builds His kingdom...

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests,

but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

NIV

Where do you find your focus...? on yourself...? others...?
Are you missing God's message... by being centered on self...?

Father God, turn my eyes from me... help me remember to look outside myself... to You... and others... I do not want to miss another opportunity to live a life of worship...