My Way?

Sinatra sang, “I Did It My Way.” The song begins softly, “And now, the end is near, and so I face the final curtain. My friend, I’ll say it clear, I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain. I’ve lived a life that’s full. I traveled each and ev’ry highway. And more, much more than this, I did it my way.” It closes with a bang, “For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught. The right to say the things he feels and not the words of one who kneels. The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!”

While it is a beautiful melody, those are selfish words. Compare that self-centeredness to the selflessness of Christ who prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me–nevertheless, not my will, but yours” (Lk. 22:42). Jesus “was existing in the form of God” but took “the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7).

Paul learned from Christ to die to self and live for God (Gal. 2:20). In Philippians 3:7-8 he said, “But everything that was gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ.”

Now, what about when things aren’t “my way?” Should I run away and pout? Should I cause trouble? Don’t worry about “my way.” Those with the mind of Christ should only look for His way. Sinatra’s song closed, “For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught.” I think that is backward. If all a person has is himself, then he has naught. I pray that Jesus is all we have, for then we have everything.