Beyond Self: The Power of Putting Others First

DAILY REFLECTION - BY DR. TAN TEK SENG

• 18 April 2025

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭

True heroism is rarely found in grand gestures - it is revealed in the choices we make to serve, protect, and sacrifice for those around us.

On September 11, 2001, Orio Palmer, a Battalion Chief of the New York City Fire Department, led his team with unwavering determination to the 78th floor of the South Tower - the very heart of the devastation where the plane had struck. A highly skilled firefighter, Palmer was widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in high-rise fire radio communication, a skill that proved invaluable in the chaos of that day. He and his team worked tirelessly to rescue civilians trapped in an elevator, freeing them just moments before the tower’s collapse. His courage was not loud or boastful but expressed through action, love, sacrifice, and an unshakable commitment to others. His story stands as a powerful testament to selfless devotion, reminding us that true heroism shines brightest in life’s darkest moments.

Philippians 2:3-4 calls Christians to embody the mindset of Christ, shifting away from self-centeredness toward a life defined by servanthood and love. This selfless attitude not only strengthens relationships but also reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, inspiring believers to walk in humility and sacrificial love, just as Christ did.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others.”

-Mahatma Gandhi