1299) The first sign in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, that we are living in the last days is a topic I wrestle with. Paul tells us that people will be lovers of self. On the one hand, I do have a responsibility to the world I live in to present the best version of myself I can. I need to make sure I get enough rest; live a healthy lifestyle, decompress when needed and more because when I’m at my best, it influences everyone I come in contact with.

BUT, I sometimes “fight” the wisdom of doing these things for myself because my “religious” background whispers (loudly, at times) that keeping these boundaries within my life is selfish. Is there truth found here? Of course, so I think we need to examine the difference between taking care of ourselves and being preoccupied with ourselves.

When I think of this preoccupation, I picture someone walking around with a mirror. Everywhere they go, they move the mirror to see another angle of themselves, but they also don’t see where they’re going. Keeping the spotlight on ourselves means we pursue being first all the time; similar to Black Friday sales and people shoving others out of the way to get that “deal”.

Much of social media involves a lot of self-preoccupation; what we’re doing, saying, etc. Is this a bad thing? It doesn’t have to be, but when I miss the needs (or not even caring about them) of those around me, I have moved into the realm of selfishness Paul is describing here.

In the last days, there is going to be a preoccupation of self that seeps into all areas of life and the scary part about this is that society will be “teaching” that looking out for yourself in this manner is a good thing.

Dare to distinguish between taking care of yourself and being preoccupied with yourself.