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Beyond Us
Our
hearts resist humility and constantly search for glory—our own .
We want people to thank us, appreciate us, and honor us. We deserve it.
We’re entitled to it. And it feels good. Consequently, almost
everything we do has a self-centered element. We potentially gain glory
from it.
Our
stories may mention others but frequently they’re designed to subtly
showcase something about us. We want people to know that we are
competent, intelligent, and successful ("Windows 7 was my
idea!"). And our resumes describe us in ways that few people know
us.
The
old Mac Davis song was tongue-in-cheek but not so far off the mark. “O
Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.”
Perhaps
Andrew Murray got it right a century ago. “Nothing can cure you of the
desire to receive glory from men.” But our pursuit of self-glory
becomes our undoing. The cheering voices are never enough. Like an
addictive drug, we need more and more. And at some point, for some of
us, the cheering no longer even registers. We’re hollow.
The
solution to our self-absorption lies in a commitment to glorify
Another. Even Jesus said on one occasion, “If I glorify myself, my
glory means nothing.” (John 8:54)
The
apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
And to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it
all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17)
Freedom
is found in pointing attention away from ourselves, and to Him. Over
and over this is the biblical pattern. Ponder even the eternal song of
the elders in the Revelation which has this refrain: “You are worthy,
our Lord and God, to receive all glory and honor and power, for You
created all things, and by Your will they are created and have their
being.” (Revelation 4:11)
Here’s
the way forward—not to succeed in self-promotion but to re-direct all
glory to Christ. It seems so backwards, so risky—but it’s so true.
Will
we look beyond ourselves -- and not look back? Start with this
breath-prayer today: "Father,
for Your glory" and speak it every twenty minutes. See
the change!
In
HOPE –
David
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