Who is at the Center of Your Universe?
Recently a friend of mine spent extended time with a woman whose entire universe was centered on herself. It was tiresome she said. Any time she was introduced to or found herself in the presence of someone new the woman managed to turn the conversation to something she has done or accomplished. I think we all know someone like that. Heck – we’ve been that someone if we are honest.
While it is not wrong to talk about ourselves with others, doing so does however, keep us from really getting to know the other person – stranger or not. We can be so caught up in promoting ourselves, and seeking to gratify ourselves, that we can lose a precious opportunity. An opportunity that may not present itself again.
I am persuaded now to think about how I present myself to others. Am I present for them or am I telling them a story about me. And to be frank, the stories about me probably don’t interest them. We have all wanted at times to feel important, to say here I am - notice me! Social media has played a big part in this and has affected people of all ages. It has conditioned us to strive to be someone, to be a success, based solely on the number of “likes” and followers we accumulate. What does any of that really matter? What eternal value does this insane striving achieve? While caught up in this we fail to contribute to, to make this world better for, and to meet the needs and challenges of, those around us.
What we really should be telling people by word or deed is to look and see how great He is. To demonstrate who we are – yes – but who we are in Him. To show Him in his glory not our pathetic self-appointed glory. We’ve all have witnessed someone who puffs themselves up. But lately it’s pushed me to reflect on how I might appear and sound to those around me. It’s not impressive in the least when we see others desperate to impress. Desperate to yell here I am notice me! Check me out. See what I’ve done. When instead we should be desperate to demonstrate who He is and encourage others to look at what he’s done. Can we humble ourselves for the sake of others? Can we make sacrifices of our time, or better yet, good use of our time, by investing in others?
I feel a deep stirring to reflect on who I am and what I am contributing to others. Rather than asking do you know who I am, what I have done – we should be asking who are you? What have you done? When we open that door just even an inch – we are providing an opportunity for the other person to begin a dialogue with us. We might be surprised where that initial conversation might lead. Perhaps it may lead to an opportunity to encourage, to bring Him into the conversation, or to pray for someone. We start real conversations by asking others about themselves.
What do we want our corner of the world to look like and what are we willing to do to achieve that? Sing our own praises? Strive for more likes? Followers? Are we desperate to tell others how great we are - how accomplished we are? What are we really contributing to in that kind of world?
Can you hear those whispers of need? They are whispers because they are difficult to hear above our own bravado. But if we can stop making everything about ourselves we might just begin to hear those whispers. When we are with someone, we should strive to understand what they may be struggling or burdened with, we must offer our time, resources, and encouragement to that person. Why else are we here? GALATIANS 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Hebrews 6:10; “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” Think about that – we are showing God how much we love HIM when we help His people! God doesn’t forget that we have not only helped others but continue to do so. He sees us. Let Him be the source of your “likes” and “follows”.
So, who is the center of your universe – you or Jesus?
