The Tendency of Inwardness

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:3

When Wendall Woodall was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, he began recording his journey in a book called Shuffle. His faith in Christ fueled his sense of humor and gave him a basis for daily living. Among his strategies was the habit of volunteering. “A big part of my life is volunteering,” he wrote. “Specifically, I’m talking about when we serve, assist, or in some way help those who are less fortunate than we are…. The Parkinson’s brain tends toward smallness—small steps, small motions, etc. I would say that our brains also tend toward inwardness….It would be so much easier just to stay home and isolate myself from all human contact … But just as I stretch out my fingers, I also stretch out my soul.”

When we serve, it takes our minds off our desire to be served. The danger of being a lover of self is inherent within each of us, regardless of our health. But as we put aside our own desires and become more selfless, we will enrich those around us, show God’s love wherever we are, and develop the mind of Christ.

I intentionally look for ways to get out and serve others so that I’m not just focusing on me and my problems. That’s why I volunteered.
Wendall Woodall