Bachman, Turner Overdrive, or BTO, had a hit in the seventies called
“Looking Out for Number 1.” The same guys that brought you the iconic “You
Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.” How my English teachers would blush. But in life we
have been taught to look out for ourselves. To take care of number 1, or as
Angel Martin says “numero uno.” In sports we all our team to win, to be #1. We
race to wear #1, to qualify at the pole position, and to win. Second place is
first loser, no one looks out for #2, although Rodney Dangerfield once remarked
“look out for #1, and don’t step in #2.” Even a preschooler understands that.
So from an early age we are taught to look out for ourselves, we are the most
important person in our lives. It is all about us. For a reminder, consider
the Kardashians next time you look at a picture with you in it, the first one
you look for is you. Looking out for #1. Who are you looking for in the
mirror? #1-you. Our lives revolve around us whether we admit it or not. The
exception being when accused, then we blame someone else, again looking out for
#1.
Three Dog Night had another hit “One.” In it they sang how “one is the
loneliest number that you’ll ever do...” and how “two can be as sad as one...”
Loneliness affecting your #1 status after a breakup, not your choice. But in
life we find that in a world that tells us how much it cares, listen to any old
love song, that it is still about us. And us is the best gospel we will ever
know. We know us better than others, showing sometimes only what we want others
to see, hoping they don’t see what we don’t want them to see. Looking out for
#1. In marriage we find the two becoming one, yet many divorces occur when each
partner is looking out for #1. We give advice to others, and we live the
lifestyle ourselves looking out for #1. So get over it, denying it is only
admission of how you are looking out for yourself, old numero uno. Yet at the
end of many days we do find that one is a lonely number, for no one else will
ever care about you as much. Except maybe your dog, and he knows you. Go
figure. But when our focus is on ourselves, we do not see others, we miss
blessings, and in our striving to be #1 we step over others. The rich man
stepping over Lazarus, while not stepping in #2. We are told to be careful who
we step on while going to the top, they may be the same ones we trip over on our
way down. And as fast as you rise, the same speed you may fall. It’s called
gravity, a law not a theory. Number one with a bullet, one hit wonders, one
game from the championship, one day from death. We all want to be #1, and so we
look out for #1. Never knowing the price we may be paying.
And then along comes Jesus. You just know that the ultimate #1, God’s
first and only son would have a different viewpoint. When we think of #1 we
think of success, victory, and glory. We think of the 99 who made it, glad to
be part of it, but Jesus thinks of the lost sheep, the one in 99 who is still
suffering. He goes back, as miners do in a cave in, never satisfied until the
last man is out. The Captain never leaves his ship until the last passenger is
off. And so Jesus is patient with us that none should perish. The one who is
forgotten, he remembers. He could brag on the 99 he saved, 99 out of 100 is a
pretty good score, yet he rather brag and be remembered for the one he goes back
for, the one lost or left behind. A true champion reviews his last game, and
sees the weaknesses, where the victory escaped, and Jesus advises us to do the
same thing, to consider the one left behind. He is like the marksman, who is
known by his aim and not his arrows. His target is your heart, the arrows are
love. Others may shoot at you, only he has the aim and love to be a true
marksman. Many brag about their quiver, Jesus testifies of his aim. To him
each one of us is a #1, and he will not rest until all his #1’s are safe in his
quiver.
Yet many in their striving to be #1 neglect the only one who can save.
They worship anything or anyone but the one who can save. By looking out for #1
they deny Jesus, and never gain the victory they are really seeking. Andy
Warhol once advised how everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame. 900
seconds if that makes it seem longer. But after you only have the memories, and
the moment is gone. You are left looking for you in the picture, still lost,
fame gone. But Jesus is still seeking you, no matter where you are in the
photo, you are #1 to him. And when he is looking out for #1, it makes a lasting
difference. Today before you brag on your accomplishments, write another resume
of things left to do. Of people you offended, of those who you treated like
#2.
Turn to Christ, and look to #1, and become that #1 he wants you to be. Looking out for others, rejoicing with the 99, but still looking for that lost one. We were all that lost one once, and Jesus sought us, and when we found him we found life. Forgiveness. Acceptance by God. All the things that escaped us when we were looking out for ourselves, when we were #1. Putting Jesus first, who has the bragging rights to us, yet will go back after the lost one. Looking out for #1 in love, what he does best.
Turn to Christ, and look to #1, and become that #1 he wants you to be. Looking out for others, rejoicing with the 99, but still looking for that lost one. We were all that lost one once, and Jesus sought us, and when we found him we found life. Forgiveness. Acceptance by God. All the things that escaped us when we were looking out for ourselves, when we were #1. Putting Jesus first, who has the bragging rights to us, yet will go back after the lost one. Looking out for #1 in love, what he does best.
If you are still looking for that one, Jesus is looking for you. Today can
be the day you are united in Christ with the other 99, and praise him for what
he has done for you. And you can start praying and ministering to the one you
once were. Ask any teacher, their reward is seeing the student teach them by
the lessons they were taught. As the great teacher, rabboni, Jesus invites you
to be a #1 with him, and seek out other #1’s. Looking out for #1 is what it is
all about, and when Jesus is the one we can look for others. We can love others
as we love ourselves, because he loved us first. We can understand why greater
love has no man than to lay down his life for another, because we know the
greatest love. He came to die while we were yet sinners. You and me. When we
were the lost one in 99. We all want to be #1, Jesus sees us as that one, and
who we can become in him. Come to Jesus, believe me you ain’t seen nothing
yet!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com