It is in our nature as sinful and self-centred creatures, I think, to want having our needs met first, before we will think about meeting other people’s needs – because of course, “I am the most important person in this world after all, and so why should I care about other people when I’m not feeling that great myself…” – right?

But of course as Christians, we know that it isn’t the example Christ left for us – just as Phil 2:1-11 testifies. Christ did everything for His Father’s sake and for our sake.

I first learnt of the song below in a memorial service for the Bali bombings victims in 2002. It was sung beautifully by the Cathedral Choir boys, and I loved the melody when I heard it. But it was the chorus that made me think that it’s a beautiful song lyric to remember…

The words of the chorus is such a nice reminder and something I found to be good to pray for when my natural human reaction is one to seek comfort from others – and when the temptation is to put ourselves and our needs before others…

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there is doubt true faith in You

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there's sadness ever joy

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to all man that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life

Posted here today because I needed the reminder last night. =)

See this if you want to know more about the song.