You sometimes encounter people who are completely wrapped up in themselves. Whatever happens, their first thought is, “How does this affect me?” For example, you fall and break your leg, and the other person says, “Oh no, now I’m going to have to take you to the hospital and we’re going to be there for hours and I had so much I wanted to get done tonight” — and meanwhile you’re lying on the ground, writhing in pain. Or, you come home and tell your family you’ve lost your job, and your teenager says, “You’re still buying me a new cell phone, aren’t you?”

If you want to show off your vocabulary, you could call this type of person a narcissist. Or, the phrase that’s often used today is, “I guess it’s all about you.”

In 3 Nephi 15, Jesus explains to the Nephites the meaning of a statement He made to the Jews in Jerusalem when he said, “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (John 10:16).

Perhaps it would be narcissistic for someone to hear a prophecy of the Lord and say, “He’s talking about me.” Just imagine the reaction of others — “Yeah, right, it’s all about you.”

However, if any of the Nephites were thinking that this particular statement of Christ was all about them, they would have been correct this time! Jesus explains:

“And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said, Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (3 Nephi 15:21)

So, Jesus had told the Jews in Jerusalem that He had other sheep to visit, and here He is among the Nephite people, doing exactly that! How special the Nephites must feel — not only do they get a personal visit from the Savior, but He had been thinking ahead about this visit such that He announced it while He was teaching in Jerusalem.

Although God has created billions of people, He has a way of making each of us feel special when we have a relationship with Him:

• When you are in need, He may send someone or orchestrate events specifically to assist you.
• He may send a specific communication — words, thoughts, dreams, visions, etc. — directly to you to provide direction.
• He may call you to a specific work or ministry, giving you the exact gifts and talents that you need to be successful in that calling.

It’s been said that even if you were the only person who ever accepted Christ, He still would have gone to the cross and died just for you.

So, sometimes it is all about you. Or, at least, God makes you feel that way.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.