What’s on Americans’ minds? Increasingly, ‘me’.
A recent study* analyzed words and phrases in millions of American books published over the past 50 years. San Diego State University researchers found increasing reference to the individual with an emphasis on “I” before “we” and have concluded this is yet another indication that American society since 1960 has become increasingly focused on self: “These trends reflect a sea of change in American culture toward more individualism,” says psychologist Jean Twenge of San Diego Sate University.
Hmmm. I’ll bet you didn’t need researchers to tell you that. Our self-preoccupation begins showing up pretty early on–well before the terrible two’s. And our culture seems intent on feeding the self-life, not curbing it.
But our Lord calls us to march to a different drum:
If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the onewho will save it.(Luke 9:23-24)
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.(Phil 2:3-4)
I am praying for God’s grace in your life today as you seek not to live unto yourself, but unto your Savior.
Blessings,
