I like to think about me. I admit it. I focus on my career, my family, my needs, my wants. Is that unusual? The world tells us to focus on ourselves. Media tells us to be thinner, prettier, younger. Social media tell us to focus on having a more exciting life than all of our friends. Then be sure to keep track of how many people “like” or “love” your posts. It encourages us to keep checking our status to see who is noticing us. With all of this encouragement, why should I try to focus on the self less?
This doesn’t even begin to cover all the influences to focus on self. Think of all the selfies we take and then the apps to give yourself a model look. You can soften skin, erase wrinkles, whiten teeth, adjust skin tone. I am the first to admit that I only want pictures of myself posted in which I think I look good. I need to think of myself less.
Recently, I read this statement in my devotional, “To enjoy my presence more fully, you need to think less about yourself. This is not an arbitrary demand; it’s the secret to living more abundantly” (from Jesus Always by Sarah Young). This really struck hard. I have been chewing on it for a few days now, and asking if I’m holding onto God for dear life?
“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!” (Psalm 91:14-16 MSG).
This is a harsh reality for me. I know how to hold on to God for dear life when life is hard. I need to be holding on like that all day everyday. I need to honor God with my time and focus. It takes discipline. I may need to put up some post it notes to keep on track, and develop a solid discipline of focusing on God and the self less. I want to live into the promises of this scripture.
God forgive my selfishness, my ability to focus on me and what the world tells me is important. You offer different eyes to see with, and that’s what I want. Help me redirect myself toward you.
How about you? What do you do to stay focused on God and not the self? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.