Humans can easily fall victim to the “looking-out-for-number-one” syndrome. Our current culture often supports that individuals put themselves and their happiness first. This plan strives to put our “Me Monster” within on a diet. When we take the focus off ourselves and concentrate on the One who deserves the glory, we become more God-centered and less me-centered. That’s a good thing!
The Wiedmann Bible
Day 1
Scriptures: Proverbs 16:18, Psalms 10:4, 1 Chronicles 16:25
G.O.A.T.
I recently had lunch at an elegant restaurant where some business people commonly go to self-righteously boast to potential new clients, hoping to win them over. The wait staff bustled around tables filled with starched suits and stiff drinks, and I couldn’t help but overhear the prideful chatter.
I chuckled and thought, what a group of self-absorbed goats! Not the barn-yarn variety, mind you. I’m talking about the acronym G.O.A.T., meaning “Greatest of All Time,” originally referred to the boxer Muhammad Ali. (And now Tom Brady too.)
Everyone wants to be the G.O.A.T., but we have to be careful not to become prideful in the process. We fall victim to arrogance when we focus primarily on ourselves, becoming self-important and conceitful. Pride often leads to destruction and prevents us from submitting to God’s purpose for our lives.
God hates human pride and ruthless, selfish ambition. Instead, He wants us to be humble, valuing others above ourselves. With humility comes the ability to know, seek, and serve God with all our hearts. Philippians 2:3-4 says it best, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Have you ever been told, or told someone else, “It’s not all about you!” When you continually place yourself in the spotlight, there’s no room for God to shine! If you want to be beneficial to God’s kingdom, you must become less inwardly focused.
You can begin by taking the focus off yourself, thanking God more often, putting others first, and really listening. Listen with the same passion you feel about needing to be heard. God is the ultimate “Greatest Of All Time!” He is worthy of our praise!
Day 2
Scriptures: Philippians 4:13, Philippians 2:8, Colossians 3:12, John 3:30
“LEGGO MY EGGO” AND PLEASE PASS THE HUMILITY
Do you remember the Kellogg’s TV commercial for Eggo Waffles where the dad tries to take away his son’s Eggo Waffle at the breakfast table? As the dad grabs onto the waffle, the son says, “Leggo my Eggo!” (Let go of my Eggo!)
To become more God-centered, we have to “leggo” our ego. When we become less egocentric and ask God to give us a humble spirit and rely on His strength, He can do unimaginable things in our lives.
Ego, the Latin word for “I,” is all about “me, myself, and I.” Mind you, it’s not wrong to have great self-esteem and a sense of self-worth. In fact, those are essential qualities, but we have to be careful not to compromise our values simply to be held in high regard.
In John the Baptist, we see a good example of the willingness to decrease in importance. As more and more people started following Jesus and were being baptized by him instead of John, John’s disciples became disturbed. They unknowingly put John into a position of competing against Jesus. But John, knowing that God had given him the task of bringing people to Jesus, said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30 NIV). Those words express great humility!
However, the most remarkable and essential example of humility is Jesus himself. Born in a stable, Jesus is God who chose to come to earth as a human because of His great love for us. [He] did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28 NIV). Humbly taking the world’s sin upon himself and dying on the cross, He saved us from eternal death and separation from God!
Take a close look at your life. Are you ego-driven with a sense of superiority? Do you lack humility? It’s okay to ask God to show you how to become more humble. Try today to “Leggo” your ego and clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You and everyone around you will be blessed.
Day 3
Scriptures: John 10:30, John 8:58, Romans 8:5, Proverbs 3:5-6
DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
Back to the restaurant story from day one…
An arm extended out from one of the men in suits. It shook wildly like one of those inflatable-tube-man balloons that flail around advertising something. The man’s fingers began to snap loudly to get the waiter’s attention. When the waiter finally approached, the man angrily shouted, “Do you know who I am?”
In addition to nixing pride, decreasing ego, and increasing humility, the “Me Monster Diet” stresses taking the spotlight off ourselves and putting it on Jesus, the One and only, most important “I AM.” Take a look at Jesus’ “I AM” statements from the gospel of John:
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35).
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
“I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7).
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11).
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25).
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” (John 15:1).
No one on earth can claim to be all that! God is the only One who can accurately describe Himself as the “I AM.” We falsely claim self-sufficiency and sovereignty over ourselves when we focus on the human “I am” statements (I am the greatest, most vital, best) and not on Jesus. Begin to live in the freedom that all of Jesus’ “I AM”statements offer! It will help you grow in faith, trust in Him, and not in yourself and your abilities, strength, and understanding.
Day 4
Scriptures: Ephesians 3:20-21, 1 Corinthians 10:31
AND THE GLORY GOES TO…
If God were to win an Oscar, and He certainly deserves one, it could be called a “Goscar.” Joke aside, God deserves all the accolades that come with an Oscar win and immeasurably more because all honor, glory, greatness, and praise belong to Him.
Psalm 115:1 (NIV) states, “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Everything about God and His divine qualities deserves our constant praise and adoration.
When we try to take God’s glory for ourselves by saying, “Look at me! Look at who I am and what I’ve achieved!” we dismiss His role in our lives and His power at work within each one of us. Everything we do ought to be for the glory of God.
Before we do anything, we should ask ourselves, “Would this action, statement, thought please God and be worthy of His name? Before we pray, we should ask ourselves, “Who will deserve credit for answered prayer?”
Jesus demands that we love and glorify him over everyone and everything else. We see this clearly in His statement to the twelve disciples before He sends them out:“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37-38 NIV).
Contrary to human nature, it’s not about us! When God is your number ONE, joy, peace, love, sympathy, and acceptance increase. Focusing on God enables you to become more altruistic- meaning selfless. Try giving God the first part of your day, every day. Rise and shine and give God the glory! Pray, read a devotional, study scripture, give thanks to God. When you prioritize God in your life and recognize that the glory belongs to Him, He will bless your obedience and submission to Him.
Day 5
Scriptures: John 13:3-5, John 13:14-17
GET OVER YOURSELF!
We often lose sight of the big picture when we’re smack dab in the center of our little universe- it’s all too human. We can become so inwardly focused, complaining about everything and everyone around us, that we have to “get over ourselves” and stop behaving like we’re the most important “whatever” and above everyone else.
Jesus, King of Kings, Lord, and Savior, didn’t think he was above washing his disciples’ feet, a task kept for the lowliest slave in the house. He humbly removed their dusty sandals, held their (assumingly dirty) feet in His hands, and lovingly washed them over a basin of water with His clothing.
And he did so fully aware that one of His disciples would betray him, Judas Iscariot, and another would disown Him, Peter. He showed them the full extent of His love and humility by washing their feet and told them they would be blessed if they did the same for others.
How can you show such love and humility towards others? Can you try to let go of your selfish viewpoint or opinion long enough to see things through someone else’s eyes?
As believers, we are called to be humble, loving, caring, and not self-serving and self-centered. Jesus will bless you when you think beyond yourself and consider the needs of others. Perhaps you know someone who needs to be lovingly and gently led to the Cross, where they can be washed clean of their sins. You can do this when you become less and God becomes more.