I'm third: God first, others second, and I'm third.
It's a simple concept, but hard to apply. This idea comes from Matthew 22:37-39, which states: "And he said to him,'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
This concept is taught at Kanakuk, a Christian sports camp. They use the example of a guy named Johnny Ferrier, a man who lived the "I'm third" lifestyle until his final breath. (You can read more about Johnny here.) There are many examples that kids are taught about the I'm Third life. It means letting your friend take the last piece of food on the tray. It mean reading your Bible. It means helping your parents with dishes. And these examples are practical and good, yet they only scratch the surface into a lifestyle that encompasses so much of the gospel.
Ultimately, Jesus lived a flawless life that should forever be the example to follow. Before going to the cross, he washes his disciples feet. After doing this, he states: "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you" (John 13:14-15). He commissions us to serve. Not out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but out of humility and for the glorification of the gospel through us (Philippians 2:3).
I'm third means that we put God first. How simply put, but how hard to accomplish. The Lord should be central in our lives: before our jobs, before our friendships, before our phones. As Christians, we should be compelled to live like this because "in him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13).
I'm third means that we put others second. Yet we live in an "I'm first" world. We tend to satisfy ourselves first and others afterwards. We want the best school, the best relationships, the best job, the best things. And that's backwards. How hard it is to serve others out of love and not for selfish gain (Galatians 5:13).
There are many more lessons that can be taken from this I'm third concept. The words of the Lord are living and active, and how necessary they are for daily bread and truth. May Jesus continually be glorified as we strive to humble ourselves by lifting Him higher. Following His example continually is not easy or mundane. But there is power in following the footsteps of a Savior that redeems us.
