Anti-Self-Realization: I dare you to live that way.

What if we got this all wrong? Perhaps the reason so many fall away from Christ is that they slip into self-realization as the goal rather than self-expenditure.

Oswald has me thinking again. He says: Jesus’ purpose is not the development of man; His purpose is to make man exactly like himself, and the characteristic of the Son of God is self-expenditure.

I totally get this. My goal is not to be a better person or to do more it’s to be less and allow Jesus to pour His life through mine. As soon as “My” will comes into the picture the things He wants to pour through my life, not into my life, get clogged, blocked or hidden by me.

Many of us slip into this self-realization trap. What we can’t seem to get through our thick skulls is “This is not about US.” Even when we serve others it comes back to us, somehow.

Today try to think about others, to truly think about others. Look at how many times your concerns rise above the concerns of those around you. Imagine your life without you. Imagine the freedom you would experience is you lived as though what happens to you really didn’t matter.

Now, that will change your life.

3 Comments

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  Rick September 2, 2010 at 9:31 am

  Debbie, I hear you. We as people fail to truly stop, think and listen to what others are saying. Instead we see it as an attack on our faith, we put up the phasers and Star Trek Shield and start firing back. Who are we trying to protect, God? He doesn't need protection. I don't think asking questions is a bad thing. I have many questions about whether we are supposed to be following the commands of God. If I put it that way people will say “Yes.” But if I say are we supposed to be following the law of God, they think I don't believe in Jesus. It's just crazy. Here's my suggestion….Listen to God, ask Him questions and He'll answer. Never try to convince anyone of anything. Not our job. But don't be quiet either. Unless God tells you to be quiet.
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  Debbie Stidham September 2, 2010 at 10:24 am

  Great stuff Rick! I've been trying to share this with some ladies, and some of them are getting upset because they think I'm saying we don't have to “do” anything. My answer is, “I'm not saying we don't have to do anything, I'm saying we can't do anything.” The very best stuff that I can do for the Lord is filthy rags. The only way to “do” for Him is to completely die to self and allow Him to live through you. It's not easy, but we just have to live in the “reality” of Christ in us, the hope of glory. Of course He's in us always, but the key is too KNOW it and live like it, and the other main thing is that we need to stay in Him also. We're the ones who are in and out, but the more we focus on Him and staying IN Him, the easier it is to stay out of the flesh. Thank you for all your words of encouragement Rick. Debbie
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  Rick September 2, 2010 at 11:31 am

  Debbie, I hear you. We as people fail to truly stop, think and listen to what others are saying. Instead we see it as an attack on our faith, we put up the phasers and Star Trek Shield and start firing back. Who are we trying to protect, God? He doesn't need protection. I don't think asking questions is a bad thing. I have many questions about whether we are supposed to be following the commands of God. If I put it that way people will say “Yes.” But if I say are we supposed to be following the law of God, they think I don't believe in Jesus. It's just crazy. Here's my suggestion….Listen to God, ask Him questions and He'll answer. Never try to convince anyone of anything. Not our job. But don't be quiet either. Unless God tells you to be quiet.