In this world of personal experience, it seems that everyone needs to validate themselves. We see it splayed on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. We have likes and hits and tweets that all circle around the god of "me." That's why so many people are acting out. How many sentences begin with the words, "I think" or "In my opinion?"
A recent study of poets divided them into two groups -- those who died of natural causes and those who died by their own hands. A computer took the latter poems of each of these groups and analysed their word usage. The report showed that those who died of suicide were preoccupied with the first person. People who are struggling with life -- with their jobs or relationships or finances -- tend to use the personal pronoun as well. Their world can be encompassing and gripping. No one else exists.
"Me, Myself and I, let me tell you about it all"
In this me generation, there is a great rush toward individual liberty and rights. Rarely do we step aside so another can prosper. Rarer yet do we lay our lives down for another.
But what if our focus was less on ourselves. It was said of Eleanor Roosevelt that she could engage in an entire conversation and never once use the word I or "me."
It comes down to living a life that glorifies God. That's it. He isn't in the business of making us feel good about ourselves. That's not our purpose in this life.
For my Glory, or for His?
Think about it. How marriages could be saved if each partner lived a marriage that wasn't all about making them happy. Instead, they would have a marriage that would give Glory to God.
Instead of working hard on projects so the boss will give a Twinkie at the end of the year and a star on your chart, you did it to give Glory to God.
Instead of writing so you have a platform, or an audience, or so publishers notice you, you would just wrote so God could be glorified.
Once we begin to think about reflecting His Glory, we begin to make the right decisions, living a right life
What a world this would be. Selfish living would be turned into selfless living.And then it would all come back, one hundred fold. Only this time, pure, sweet and holy.
You're my hero today, David, for effective use of Twinkie in a post. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, great thoughts here. Especially about the poet study -- which were more unhappy. And I wonder, which came first -- the unhappiness led to self-focus or the self-focus led to unhappiness? I can see how it could be both, perhaps.
Okay now I'm feeling really self conscious about using "I" in my comments! But seriously. Yesterday I listened to Eugene Peterson talk about Sabbath, and his thoughts are shaping so much of my thinking today. Sabbath is about stopping, ceasing, and resting from my activities, priorities, and attempts at self-preservation in order to focus on God and His work in the world. The more I'm focused on participating in work with God, the less (I hope) I will be focused on I, me, and mine.
ReplyDeleteSuch good thoughts here, David. How did we get here? Sometimes, I find my prayers increasingly self-focuses and I shake myself. Jesus came TO SERVE. Thanks for stepping on my toes today.
ReplyDelete(I didn't know you were Jewish! Rupert. Hmmm. No wonder you look so much like Jesus :))
I am reminded of a story from my past (sorry)...
ReplyDeleteMy new boss at the time was talking to me about himself---his awards, accomplishments, conquests, etc. Then, he caught himself and said, "Oh---sorry...that's enough talk about me. Let's talk about you.......have you read my book?"
This is a great article. There's nothing like stepping outside of myself to find peace and joy helping others. This is very encouraging. It makes me feel like it's all worthwhile. Thanks for this David!
ReplyDeleteI have to learn and relearn and relearn it: the quickest way to get rid of depression is death to self. Then there's so much joy. (And this should be good for my poetry, too.) :)
ReplyDelete...its interesting that some of the better more thorough teachings on selfless living come from outside of Christianity..
ReplyDeleteAmazing post, great work!
ReplyDeleteI have had this conversation with my husband many times. As a "newer" blogger, I spent some time, regretfully, looking at stats and subscription numbers. I realized that I wasn't focused on Him completely. . there was a whole lot of "me" in there. . and I didn't like it. In fact, I stopped writing for awhile.
ReplyDeleteHow do we completely get over ourselves? Not just in writing, but in the daily striving for "twinkies". Love that line.
Very convicting and full of truth. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Thanks for this, David. We always need good reminders to lift our eyes away from our navels and gaze on the people around us, asking God to show us how to be fully present to them. Practicing such gazing might make a really good Lenten discipline. Who knows? In 40 days, we might form a healthy new habit!
ReplyDeleteLOVED Clint's story - like that Bette Midler line from Beaches: "Enough about me! What do YOU think about me?"
Indeed, amazing things happen when we read, believe, and apply all those red letters, aye?
ReplyDeleteThanks for this insight. And if I can let myself off the hook a little bit, I always say, "Me, myself, and Irene" -- that way I share the selfishness with another. And that's not selfish, that's sharing ;-)
BLessings.