Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously 5/9/2017

Good Morning,

The old mug is filled with Door County Turtles In A Cup Coffee and I am filled with contentment granted from above.
I hope this day finds you with a dose of contentment that surpasses all understanding.

I am generally awake for eighteen  of the twenty four hours in a day. During that time I might encounter, co-workers. bosses, the general public, friends, ministry workers, and family. Most everyday is filled with that list. From time to time these encounters lead me to people that just plain old take themselves too seriously. They strive to be heard over everyone else. They seek to be first in all things. They have the attitude of "Hooray for me, forget you". They make every encounter about them, and take no compassion on anyone else. The most important thing in the world is how they feel and how whatever is going on impacts them.

They have been seriously deceived. 

Jeremiah 17:9New International Version (NIV)

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

The message of our culture is often, "It's all about you." And it is so easy to buy into it. By nature, we want to believe that it is all about us. But then the Bible comes along and presents a different message about our nature and our sinfulness. That can be quite a jolt to our system, especially if we have been riding a wave of self-importance.
How self-aware are you, and how "Christ-centered" are you? To be Christ-centered is to fix our thoughts on the Lord's importance. The biggest competitor to that agenda is "self." That guy wants the focus and the attention and the praise. Christianity kicks "self" to the curb and replaces him with a perfect substitute.

Romans 12:2English Standard Version (ESV)
² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We can all fall off kilter and become self centered. But a life where Christ is at the center, is a life that spins with purpose. We die to self and live for others. What needs to come first is our walk with Jesus. Anything else is less important.

Matthew 6:33New International Version (NIV)
³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

If you find yourself being self centered I have some great advice for you. "Knock it off."  Take time to look at others and see them as Christ does. Play a little and laugh at yourself. Enjoy some time with a kid, play on the ground, eat some ice cream or spaghetti wearing a white shirt and without a napkin. You will find out very fast that you aren't perfect. Read your Bible and if you think you could save the world from the penalty of sin, read it again, you won't feel so tall after that.

Most of all. Get over yourself. It's a bad habit.

Marty