When I was growing up I learned a song in Sunday School that's stuck with me all my life. It's set to the tune of Jingle Bells:

J-O-Y, J-O-Y

this is what it means:

Jesus first,

Yourself last,

and Others in-between.

(Repeat)

I love the simple reminder of Jesus first. To me, that means praying about everything and bringing all my requests, praise and thanksgiving to Him first.

John 3:30 is how I think of myself last, less of me means more of Him.

The others? That's everyone else and having a servant-hearted approach to putting their needs before my own is sometimes hard, but always rewarding. I know when I've been too self-centered I'm able to redirect by sitting down to write a note to someone else while I pray for them.

What do you do to put Jesus first, yourself last, and others in-between?

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash