Many years ago, the Founder of the Salvation Army, Gen. William Booth, telegraphed a Christmas greeting to their thousands of workers around the world. To economize, he chose one word to capsulize their mission and vision, and that word was “OTHERS.”
God’s greatest commandment is others-focused: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39).
Jesus’ mission for coming to earth is others-focused: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Jesus’ great commission to the church is others-focused: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19a)
Paul’s exhortation to believers is others-focused: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10 ).
This Christmas season reminds us to be more others-focused in our different church ministries: World Missions, Community Outreach, Food Distribution, Life Groups, and our Weekend Services on our church campus.
One way to fulfill our church Mission and Vision is to be more and more others-focused in whatever we do. As we become more others-focused, we’ll become more Christlike in our attitudes and actions.
