Stop Being the Big Idea
There’s something in all of us that aims to put ourselves in the center of the universe, making everyone and everything orbit around us. We assume this is where we will find the greatest happiness and the most pleasure. But what if our greatest joy is found somewhere else?
Before Jesus came onto the public scene, John the Baptist had quite a following. Crowds would flock to his teaching and many were baptized by him into their new faith. As Jesus began his public ministry, people started leaving John and going to Jesus. How would you respond to this? Well, it depends on whether or not you want yourself to be the main idea in your life. Notice John’s response: “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”
How You Can Find Joy in Leaving the Center
You don’t have to be the Messiah. When we put ourselves in the center of the universe, it puts a pressure on us that we cannot carry. We already have a Messiah who can hold the weight of the world; may we gladly let Him have that space.
You can only receive what God gives you. John doesn’t feel “less than” or “not enough”. He has been given a unique assignment, but he knows what we all can know. We can only receive what God gives us, but we can receive everything God gives us.
You don’t have to be jealous of someone else getting more attention than you. What would have to change in your heart so that you could have joy even when someone else is getting more praise and attention than you are?
Your greatest joy will come in running your race, not wishing you could run someone else’s race. God has deposited certain things inside of you and those things are intended to fit with your purpose, not someone else’s purpose.
Use your life to shine a light on God and others. It’s so easy for us to seek to illuminate only ourselves. But what would change if we began to shine a light on the glory of God and the good of others?
This teaching has had an impact on my personal life. I used to think my goal was to become the main idea in this world. But here’s the truth - my life works better for me and everyone else when I’m not trying to be the center of the universe. Yes, I have a part to play. I have gifts to deploy. I have skills that can impact thousands of people. When I use these for myself, contentment is elusive in my life. But when I use these for the glory of God and the good of others, it’s hard to describe how much joy and fulfillment come to me.
What are 3 practical ways you can get yourself out of the center of the universe this week?
