Kara Conniff

By Kara Conniff

I admittedly spend way too much time thinking about myself. It’s actually not fun to think about. It starts first thing in the morning and pretty much continues for the rest of the day. Note the times I say the word “I” before I even get out of bed.

Morning Alarm

I’m tired. 

I don’t want to get up. 

Why can’t I be a morning person? 

I don’t want to go to work. 

I don’t want to deal with all of the people today.

What if instead of starting my day with a list of negative things I’m unhappy about, I started my day by thinking about God and others?

In Matthew 22: 36-39, Jesus is asked what is the most important commandment. 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

Let’s try this again.

Morning Alarm

Thank you, Jesus, for that good night’s sleep.

Thank you for a body that can get out of bed and stretch and move.

The morning is a special time of day to meet with you, Lord. 

What work do you want to get done today?

Who needs help today? Who needs to feel your love?

The second scenario feels so much better because it isn’t about me. It’s about God, Jesus, and partnering with the Holy Spirit to do the Lord’s work. This day isn’t about me. No matter what I do, whom I interact with, I’m commanded to love God and love others. Period. The story really isn’t about me at all. It’s about God. 

In As You Like It by Shakespeare, there is a speech given by Jacques called All the World’s a Stage. 

All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances;

Shakespeare knew a lot about the human condition and experience and I think he understood that we are all just playing a part in this production called Life. I think it’s actually helpful to think about life like this. God is the director. He has a plan. He knows how this production should go. He sees how it ends. He knows what matters and what doesn’t. Unfortunately he’s working with people, who are flawed and have their own ideas. Each person thinks they’re the star and that their part is the most important part. But God knows what’s true. We have a part to play, but can’t all be in charge. Life will work best if we look to God, the ultimate director, for guidance. What’s his goal? What’s his plan? If we look around the stage and love the director and the other players, that’s where real beauty happens. 

Dear Lord, please help me to love you and love others. 

I’m just a player; give me my part.