Big-Headed Selfie
In the same
way, let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven. Matthew
5:16
way, let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven. Matthew
5:16
Go ahead. Laugh out loud. This must be the worst selfie of
all time.
all time.
In August, my closest friend, Joanna, and I spent two weeks
in England. We had an amazing time. (Eat your heart out, everyone!) We did all the tourist things, including a visit to King’s
College in Cambridge, a 500 year-old building that’s part of Cambridge
University. The architecture is amazing and the interior is breathtaking. Can
you imagine studying history in a place like that?
in England. We had an amazing time. (Eat your heart out, everyone!) We did all the tourist things, including a visit to King’s
College in Cambridge, a 500 year-old building that’s part of Cambridge
University. The architecture is amazing and the interior is breathtaking. Can
you imagine studying history in a place like that?
Anyway, we wanted to get a picture of the two of us standing
in front of a wing of this beautiful building. So we decided we’ve give this
selfie thing a try. Neither of us had done it before. Well, I had, with similar
disastrous results.
in front of a wing of this beautiful building. So we decided we’ve give this
selfie thing a try. Neither of us had done it before. Well, I had, with similar
disastrous results.
Later, when I looked at this picture, I realized that, sometimes, this
is an image of my life. Too many days, the beauty of Jesus is hidden
behind my big head. I can be:
is an image of my life. Too many days, the beauty of Jesus is hidden
behind my big head. I can be:
self-centered,
self-conscious,
self-important,
self-absorbed,
and a whole list of other self-words.
My light doesn’t always shine because it’s shaded by my
words and actions.
words and actions.
A few years ago, my sister and I were traveling to a Christian
writers conference – remember the word Christian. We got to the airport late (my
fault) and the poor lady at the check-in area told us that, although we would
make the flight, our bags would not. I had a fit. I said my favorite airline
wouldn’t have any trouble getting my bags on the plane. I think I must have
used the word stupid about ten times.
writers conference – remember the word Christian. We got to the airport late (my
fault) and the poor lady at the check-in area told us that, although we would
make the flight, our bags would not. I had a fit. I said my favorite airline
wouldn’t have any trouble getting my bags on the plane. I think I must have
used the word stupid about ten times.
Talk about light-less, that was me!
That poor woman didn’t see Jesus, she saw me – and it wasn’t
a pretty picture.
a pretty picture.
We all have light-less moments. Gossip spread in the form of
prayer requests. A slightly off-color joke. Anger when it’s unwarranted. Unforgiveness because we’re too proud to admit
we were wrong.
prayer requests. A slightly off-color joke. Anger when it’s unwarranted. Unforgiveness because we’re too proud to admit
we were wrong.
Ouch.
When we feel the urge to slip into self-centeredness, let’s remember the words of this childhood song:
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
When you are in a situation where you want to show self rather than Jesus, how can you focus on His light?
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9 Comments
Hi, I am Sherry Carter. Nice to meet you!
The Conversation
Sherry, this is such a true and important post. Oh, how many times we fail to show Jesus' light instead of our own big headed selfies. Ugh. Thank you, for the timely reminder! I'm glad you had a ton of fun!
At least I can say that God used that experience to teach me to ask Him to guard my mouth before I blab out whatever I'm thinking. Now, He just has to work on my thoughts!! Thanks for commenting, friend. !
Vonda, I am SO sorry!! I accidentally hit 'Delete' instead of 'Publish' 🙁
I can't think of anyone I'd be prouder to be sisters with! You are right, I'm much more careful since that day. God used my response to teach me something.
Thanks for commenting!
I think you have a nice head…selfie…appearance. 🙂 I think focusing on all that Jesus has done for us–selflessly–helps to take the focus off of self and put it on Him. I bet your England trip was just amazing.
Thanks, Katy 🙂
I love your comment that Jesus was selfless. I do need to remember that. Thanks for stopping in!
Awesome! I love this revelation. By the way I think that picture is pretty awesome!
God is so good, isn't He! He even uses our messes to reveal Himself. Thanks for commenting, Aly!
Love love love this analogy! And isn't it the truth! Our own selves get in the way of people seeing Jesus! Thanks for sharing this!!
I have way more stories to tell on myself
1 Thanks for joining the conversation, Karen!