Self Discovery

Rise and Shine for Jesus! \O/

By Pam Iannello (my late mother)

"Self Discovery"

Today there is so much emphasis on self! Self-esteem and self-discovery are two highly discussed topics among the so-called "experts" of the world. People actually believe that if you don't put self first, it's unwise and unsafe. Supposedly, the more you are consumed with self, the stronger you are as a person. Has anybody given any thought as to whether

or not self-centeredness is dangerous? Has anybody stopped to consider where an obsession with self would lead you?? Let's see what the real Expert on self would tell us as we turn to the Word of God for a right understanding...

Psalm 100:3 (KJV)

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

I love the simplicity of the Word of God! The Bible clearly states that God is our Creator; we did not create ourselves. Did you know that, dear lady? If so, how has this truth changed the way you live? How are you applying it to your life? Are you worshipping the Lord as God? Many people live as though they are the creator and center of their own little

world! They worship themselves... Ladies, this godless mind-set leads to self-absorption and, if everything should be taken away, easily ends up in a life of hopelessness! Does that sound like the makings of a stronger person to you?? Contrary to popular belief, it's not "self" we need to discover, it's the Lord! When we understand that GOD created us and gives us all we have we will want to give to others as He gave to us. Then, if all is lost, we still have the Lord and all He gives us! Therefore, self-centeredness disintegrates in the face of our Creator...

Matthew 25:24-25 (KJV)

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: [25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

Self-centeredness is a characteristic of sinful human nature. Here is a man who was thinking only of himself. He hoped to play it safe and protect himself from his "hard" master, but he was judged for his self-centeredness! Likewise, we also will be judged for ours... Ladies, we must not make excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do. Have you

been selfishly complaining that the Lord has required more than what you are capable? Have you been whining that He's too hard on you? That's nothing more than "self" crying out in pity and rebellion! If God is truly our Master and Creator, we must obey Him willingly. We must put to use what He has given us. Our time, abilities, and money aren't ours in the first place - we are caretakers, not owners; the sheep of HIS pasture, remember? Could it be that, even as a Christian, you have been squandering what He gave you only on yourself??

Mark 8:35 (KJV)

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Self-centeredness is not part of a Christlike character. We should be willing to lose our life for the sake of the gospel, not because our life is useless, but because nothing - not even life itself - can compare to what we gain with Christ! Ladies, Jesus wants us to choose to follow Him rather than to lead a life of sin and self-satisfaction. He wants us to stop trying to control our own destiny and to let HIM direct us, to lose our self-centered determination to be in charge. This makes perfect sense because our Creator knows better than we do what life is all about; He's the real Expert, amen?

1 Peter 1:22 (KJV)

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

(click the picture for audio devotional)

One other point I want to bring out is that a self-centered person cannot really love - it's as simple as that; Love and Self cannot stand together. You see, sincere love involves selfless giving... Each person's selfishness quickly affects others. However, God's love and forgiveness frees you to take your eyes off self and meet others' needs joyfully! Everyone benefits when self is put aside… How easy has it been for you to sacrifice for others as of late?? By sacrificing His life, Christ showed that He truly loves you. Benjamin Franklin wisely stated that a man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle and he’s right! Purify yourself through obedience, dear lady... Only then can you truly love others by following Jesus example and giving of yourself sacrificially.

Matthew 3:1-2 (KJV)

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Self-centeredness is a sin that requires repentance. In those days, whenever John the Baptist burst onto the scene, his theme was "Repent!" I daresay if he showed up on the scene in these days he would still share the same message. Repentance means doing an about face - a 180-degree turn - from a life of self-centeredness that leads to wrong actions such as lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, taking revenge, being abusive, indulging in sexual immorality etc. A person who sincerely repents stops rebelling and begins following God's way of living, as prescribed in His Word. When we ask, "What good does it do to serve God?" we are really asking, "What good does it do for ME?" This focus is vain and egotistical! Ladies, the first step in turning to the Lord is admitting your sin, admitting that self is no good, as John urged. Selfishness is a rejection of God and all He represents. Those who have refused to repent would tell you that self-centeredness has lead them down a very dangerous path – straight into hell and a life without God forever!

Mark 8:36-37 (KJV)

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

As a final point, self-centeredness is ultimately self-destructive! Many people have lived and died having spent all their time and energy satisfying self only to make a bleak discovery. Jesus said that a world of pleasure centered on possessions, position, personal preference, or power is ultimately worthless! But "self" doesn’t listen... Whatever you may secure for yourself on earth is only temporary; it cannot be exchanged for your soul!! If you work hard at getting what YOU want, you might eventually have a “pleasurable” life, but in the end you will find it hollow and empty. Instead of aggressively grabbing at our wants, we should submit to God; asking Him to help us get rid of our selfish desires and trust the Lord to give us what we really need!

Are you really willing to make self-discovery more important than the pursuit of God??

God Bless,

Pam

Isaiah 60:1&2

Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello

Revised 2004