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Contrary to popular belief—bubble baths, manicures, and lattes aren’t going to solve our problems.
There is a reason the book, The Purpose Driven Life, has sold over 50 million copies.
We are starved for purpose.
But the world keeps spoon feeding us self-care propaganda. It tastes good for a hot second, but it lacks the nourishment our souls crave.
The truth is, we don’t need to be persuaded to put ourselves first. A study revealed that 78% of our conversations involve talking about ourselves (Dunbar, Marriott et al, 1997). Scientists have even discovered a default area of our brain that is active when we are at rest. This same region lights up on a scan when we think about ourselves (Meyer and Lieberman, 2018).
So in a sense, our brains are hardwired to think about one thing…OURSELVES.
While our minds may operate on autopilot, our hearts yearn for more than a life wrapped up in me, myself, and I.
In I Corinthians 9:24, Paul declares:
“Don’t you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
If life is a race, then self-care is an aid station. An aid station is a small tent located along the course of a marathon where runners can rest, hydrate, or grab a bite to eat.
Hear me when I say this: self-care is necessary. Without aid stations, a runner could not complete the race.
But today’s culture has made self-care the finish line rather than a pit stop.
But where did this lie come from?
I’m not sure if you realize this but it’s impossible for the enemy to create anything. God is the Great Creator. All the devil can do is take a truth God has created and twist it.
The twisted myth the enemy wants you to believe? That self-care is the end goal.
Imagine if I was running a marathon and around mile three I was coaxed by the crowd to beeline to the nearest aid station. After all, I had a small blister forming on my pinkie toe and I deserved an ice-cold lemonade. After a back massage and a cup of soup, I’m ready to get back in the race. Yet the crowd encourages me to grab a power bar and take a seat.
Most of us spend our lives hanging out at the aid station.
Nothing exciting happens at the aid station.
Self care is lame if it’s the finish line. How long are you going to hang out under a tent with the Gatorade and bandaids? How many years have you wasted convincing yourself you need another time out?
If Paul was on the sidelines of your life, he would be screaming, “RUN!!!”
Jesus preached the same counter-cultural message:
“If anyone desires to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
(Mt. 16:24)
The race Jesus was running led him to a cross. Yet he continued sprinting toward the finish line despite the pain, suffering, and loss. The prize set before him propelled him forward.
What was the prize?
Us.
Jesus modeled for us a life that lives and dies for others—despite the cost. He proclaimed, “There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends.”
The goal isn’t self-care but self-denial.
The journey to the finish line will require you to lay down your life for others.
Will it be hard? Ridiculously hard.
Will it be painful? Excruciating at times.
Will you want to quit? Almost every day.
Will it be worth it? Absolutely!
Your purpose is found in the race.
So, stop at the aid station and take a breather—then lace up your sneakers, grab a caramel macchiato, and JUST KEEP RUNNING!