Luke 9:46-50

        'The rules don't apply to me'

         46 And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great." 49 John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you."

          Have you ever carried on a conversation with some one, or heard someone speak when every other word out of their mouth is some expletive, most commonly the F-bomb. It really doesn't improve whatever point they are trying to make. On the contrary, usually the message they are trying to convey is lost in the big turn off that we react with. Experts say that people who speak with such fowl language are often doing so out of a sense in inadequacy or unsureness of their subject matter. The more emphatic, they less they actually know.

          Personal humility and putting others first is very similar. It's either easy or hard. Putting others first is very difficult and contorted when you have no self respect. Therefore, you demand more respect by forcing it on others or stealing it (putting your importance above everyone else). I can't help but think of people on the road who drive like the rules don't apply to them. I think it's their way of compensating for a feeling of poor self worth - whether they recognize it or not.

          If however, you have self respect to begin with, you know your self worth and love yourself deeply inside, putting others first comes easy and natural to you. But it all boils down to knowing yourself, respecting yourself and knowing God loves you. No matter whether you are straight or gay, black or white, or whatever, you must come to love yourself and accept yourself. Then and only then can you truly put others first.