If I've learned anything in my 54+ years on this planet it's this:  I can't do it myself.   It doesn't matter what the "it" is, especially if it's live an effective life in Jesus' name!  Look at today's Scripture:   "Look out for one another's interests, not just for your own."  Philippians 2:4 (TEV)  That's the polar opposite of what we hear in the world these days.  We're encouraged to look out for our own interests, to strive to reach the "top," whatever the "top" may be.  But God's word calls us to look out for one another's interests.

I'm so glad I've lived most of my life with someone looking out for me.  I KNOW God is always looking out for me, but it's great to have someone with skin on to look out for me, too.  The two main folks over the past twenty years have been Nancy, my wife, and my accountability partner.  (Actually, Pat Fecich, our pastor of administration has had a big part in looking out for me for most of the past two decades, too!)  The thing is, because they've looked out for me, I'm a much more effective man of God, husband, dad, and pastor than I ever could have become on my own.  In fact, without them, I'm not sure I'd be any of those things at this point.  Life is truly a team sport.  Jesus made that so clear by choosing twelve disciples to spread the message of salvation to the world.  Think of it, He is the Son of God.  He didn't NEED anyone, and yet He entrusted the Good News of salvation through His blood shed on the cross to twelve, fallible human beings---who He filled with the Holy Spirit! 

You have probably been like me at times: tried to do "it" on your own.  We love control, or at least we think we do.  We inherited that trait from our very first ancestors, Adam and Eve.  Rather than enjoy the perfection of paradise with God, they listened to the devil's lie that being in control was better.  The tension between wanting to be in control, and living in relationship with God and others has been experienced by every person since that fateful moment.

As you go about today, commit yourself to watching out for others, to encouraging them, guiding those younger in the faith, and even offering a loving word of correction when needed.  Be open to receiving the same.  As we do that we become the body of Jesus Christ as He designed us to live.  Is it idealistic? Yes, but it's also God's plan for us.  Would you expect God's plan for our lives to be anything less than ideal?  In the power of the Holy Spirit, each of us can start to watch out for each other, and as we do, God will be glorified and our lives will become the best witness we can offer the world of the reality of a God who loves them and calls them into relationship with Himself through Jesus!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for making us for relationship, and for calling us to watch out for each other and not just for ourselves.  Fill us with the Holy Spirit that we may fulfill that calling and draw others to You and Your eternal Kingdom.  This we ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.