Living the Christian Life is Not About Me

Selfies on social media, ministries soliciting “follows”, businesses about titles and promotions, and even education telling people what they should be doing with their life.
We don’t have to look very long to see our culture is self-consuming.

Yet, invisible egos can hover around even the most innocent; making marriage about our wants and needs, parenting about performance, and even crafts, cooking, and decorating about comparing our talents and creativeness with someone else’s.

And let’s face it, even in churches we can feel it; that inward pull to make it all about our good works and redemption…Instead of making our lives set a part, simply for Jesus. Never before in history have people been so pressured to make life, family, work, and even ministry, all about us. It’s times like this, scripture must be our focus, worship must be our “go-to”, and holiness must be our standard.

Like the moon reflects the sun, we must look to Him and let His reflection be what other people see in us. After all, when sinking in a culture of “me” and consumerism, we can drown if we are not intentional about shedding our flesh, and fixing our eyes on the only True One who wants all the glory.

Yet, I am not going to lie. Sometimes selflessness can feel like swimming up a waterfall or resisting a hurricane. Pressing into the quiet can be difficult when the world shouts and blares at us to simply, try harder.

But Jesus, The Perfect One who was God Incarnate, came in the flesh and gives us a model for ministry, taking selflessness to a whole new level.
He got down and washed the feet of the disciples, while others were rising in power. He took on the cross, and often avoided the crowds, seeking refuge in the silence, only saying and doing whatever the Father in Heaven instructed.

And yet, “invisible” ministry is almost unheard of, in a generation of entitlement, a world pointing to themselves in so many ways.

Yet, peace consumes us, His presence fills us, when at the end of the day, we make it all about Jesus.
And I wonder if we, if I, can even become blinded when I am living my life centered around something other than Christ; if pride can hide the fact that my thoughts and action can be all about me, instead of Jesus?

Normal, humble, quiet lives don’t often get much media hype or acknowledgement. Yet, Jesus?

• He started by being born, humble, unannounced, in a manger. (Luke 2:1-10)
• He refused his own mother, saying it was not the time, when He did his first miracle. (John 2:1-11)
• He then, quietly slipped into the river, unannounced, to be baptized, the dove descending. (Matt 3:13-17)
• He then made his way to the dessert, where He alone would become tempted and tested. (Luke 4:1-14)

But then, you might say, that is when His “real” ministry began, that’s when the miracles, healings, the great signs and wonders touched so many. Yet, scripture tells us, even then?

• Jesus heals, but then often tells people not to mention their healings.
• He instructed many privately and after touching them, tells them to stay silent.
• He slips away from the crowds into the quiet of a boat as the crowd increases.
• He didn’t seek fanfare or praise, but only kept close a few, staying in communication with His Father.

You might even say, Jesus coveted the silence, made priority His time with the God of all Eternity. And yet, we race and spin, and somehow think we can live a life centered all around, “me”?
Jesus said He didn’t come to do His own will, but only what He had seen the Father doing. (John 6:38)
“Hallowed be YOUR name, YOUR Kingdom come, YOUR will be done.” Jesus teaches. (Matt. 6:9)
And at the end of the day …This life is not at all about me. It’s about God and what He wants to do in and through my willingness.

Will you join me in swimming against our culture, pressing beyond the hurricane that tells us, we are the focus?

Let’s make Jesus the center. After all, He is the one true Son…And we are nothing, but the reflection of His image. 

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.  ​
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