The other day during a Sunday service the pastor made a very beautiful analogy about selflessness. Selflessness is like a Door Mat.
Often times we are taught in the world that in order for you to get what you want you should step up the ladder or success. If needed, step on others before they step on you. This is true in the world. Just look at the advertisements, in order for products to be sold they have to make a bad reputation of the other competitor and comparing that they are better than the other. Look at the campaigns during election periods, as the ''Big day" approaches the competition becomes more and more vicious and they start throwing dirt at one another. Isn't it funny that the very same people that do these things are also the ones that claim to be Believers of the Faith. Yes, even us Christians are guilty of this.
We all know that Jesus taught his disciples that in order to be the greatest in his Kingdom we should be the least (Matt 18:4). He gave the best example of selflessness when He came to earth, took the form of a man, grew up like every one else, went through adolescence like us, worked for his daily food like every one else. Let me throw the question at you; If you had the ability, would you be willing to turn into a cockroach just to warn these insects that the humans have invented Baygon which can kill them in just a spray? No, I don't think so. Because we are proud sinful creatures.
However, if we claim to have Christ in our hearts we should have the same kind of selflessness radiating within us. If you are like me you would be wondering "how on earth can i come close to what Jesus did for me?" He is God! I'm just a man. Yes and yes. But do not forget that Jesus walked this earth depriving himself of the privilege of being a God. He faced everything as a man. Going back to the question...how?
Have you ever taken into consideration the Door Mat in the front of your house main entrance, office lobby door, school entrance, mall entrance? I bet you barely take the time to even notice them. But have you ever heard of a doormat grumble because people step at them, rub the dirt of their shoes in the doormat's face, pass by without thanking them for what they did? No! Because they are set apart for that purpose. Make sure that they are there to clean the feet of the people before they enter into whatever establishment they are entering, as to keep their filth outside. Take note of the word printed in most doormats...."WELCOME". Despite the treatment it receives everyday it still greets the next person and invites them to enter in. Because that is what it is made for.
What does this make of us? We are created to radiate God's glory. We are the doormats in heaven's gate inviting people to come and see what God has in-store for them. Even if that meant people will approach us, step on us, and rub their filth on us. If that is what it will take to get them to enter into His presence then by all means we should let them. I have not understood the meaning of what Jesus said when he taught "when someone hits you in the cheek, give him the other cheek" (Matt 5:39), if you know me and have seen me in person you would agree that i am not the type of person that will let someone hit me and let them get the other cheek as well. I would probably be breaking a bone or two before they even land the first hit. BUT THAT IS NOT RIGHT! If it would mean that getting hit on both cheek would mean leading a person to Christ then so be it. I'm not saying that we all become martyrs and give ourselves to ruin and destruction, what i am trying to point out here is: how far can you swallow your pride in order to reach out to the worst of the people around you?
So the next time we step on that doormat as we enter a building or a house i hope we remember the height of which God stooped down just to reach our level and reach out to us...and hope we do the same for others.
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he pured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."
John 13:3-5
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