The Idol of Self | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Idol of Self | Previous Challenge Entry
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08/10/23
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The primary religion of the world is the worship of self. I recently watched a video on social media, in which a non-binary individual, through the use of a puppet, was teaching children the importance of using people’s preferred pronouns. The video ended with the individual saying, “this is love, and this is respectful.” Relativism has so infused our society that everyone is trying to push “their truth” onto everyone else. Well-meaning people, who truly do not want to offend others, are shamed for honest mistakes and left confused about their own sense of morality. We are all pulled towards the powerful deception of self-servitude, and it is so ingrained in our culture with common phrases such as, “live your truth,” and “you do you.” This self-elevation is often an attempt to stand up for oneself, but when it is not grounded in biblical truth, it can often hurt others in the process. To use a term from the popular show, Stranger Things, we are living in the “upside-down.” Everything is distorted, under a false pretense of love, which stands in opposition to God’s definition of love.

When I was growing up, I always wanted to be the best. In high school, college, and beyond, I always felt I needed to prove myself against others’ perceptions of me. A lot of women feel this way, especially in competition with men. Because I was small and quiet, I felt I needed to overcompensate, eventually becoming a mean-spirited, bitter person. Thankfully, Jesus changed my heart and mind, and because I find my identity in him, I no longer feel the need to make myself important and respected by others. My affections have changed, and I realize now that my attempts to even the playing field likely hurt others in the process. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 NLT shows us that love does not elevate the self. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”

I do not claim that I am the perfect model of love. I mess up all the time, but I do know enough to discern that the world’s model of self-love is not correct. Once I had children, I was able to get a glimpse of what love actually should look like. The love a mother has for her children is self-sacrificial. When my daughter was born, I realized a higher calling, one that was void of human praise and respect. Mothers live for the benefit of another, whose good deeds go unnoticed and unseen, but nevertheless have lasting importance. I toyed with the idea of going back to work, but in the end, I could not. The status and reputation of having a career had lost its importance, and even the hard work of earning my degree meant little to me. Many in our society look down on stay at home moms, but I see it as a glimpse of the way that Christ loves us and gave his life for us. Philippians 2:6-8 NLT says, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” It is hard to comprehend the sacrifice God made for us, who, being infinitely greater than us as a divine being, lowered himself to our level, in order to save us.

Other people’s perceptions of us, our accomplishments, or our reputation should not be our all-consuming, most important pursuit in life. Our identity is in Jesus, and our calling is to obey and follow him. People seek love, acceptance and identity by asserting themselves, attempting to make other people bend to their will. It is our gut reaction to our own unworthy feelings. Something is wrong inside all of us, but the answer is not to fix everyone else. The problem is internal, and the only solution is found in Jesus Christ. Human love will eventually disappoint us, but Christ’s love is steadfast. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

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