Step Out of the Spotlight

I love movies. I grew up watching tons of movies with my family-- from action to romance to drama. Especially in my teenage years, I watched lots of romantic comedies, falling in love with the characters and their stories.

The drama of romance is captivating. So many times, I would end up placing myself in the role of the female lead, dreaming of a love like the one shared between the main characters. Sometimes, I would pine after the life, the job, or the friends that the characters in these movies had.

We often desire a life where we are the focus, where our dreams come true, and where we get the things we desire most.

Our culture pushes this ideology as well. There are so many influencers living what seems to be our "dream lives", doing whatever they want whenever they want. We follow these people on social media or idolize the lives of leaders or influencers around us in our real lives. We love the idea that we can do what we want, be who we want, and live the life we dream of. Our culture romanticizes the idea of being in the spotlight, of our lives revolving around ourselves.

It is easy to slip into this trap.

The enemy likes to slowly slip pride and self-focus into our mindsets. He uses social media, movies, or any cultural influences on our lives to shift our eyes to ourselves. The idea that we can do whatever we want and be whatever we want builds pride in us. And pride is what pulls us away from God.

When we center our focus on what we can do to serve ourselves and do whatever we feel, we become our own idols. We put our thoughts, feelings, and desires above God's, and this makes us the lord of our own lives. We often don't even realize this is happening! We slowly allow the voices and ideologies of culture in, and this ends up molding and shaping our minds.

As Christ followers, we are called to be different. We must be on guard against this thought process.

1 John 2:15-16 puts it this way: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. " (emphasis added)

We cannot idolize ourselves and the world. We have to be careful not to love the world and the things it offers. Although the things of the world-- the dream life we see on social media, the job of a certain influencer, the ideal romance we see in our favorite movie, whatever it may be--seem appealing, they will never be enough.

If we constantly live for ourselves, we will waste our whole lives chasing something that won't fulfill us. The dream job, relationship, or lifestyle will never be enough. Our desires and feelings are constantly changing. We cannot fill our own void.

When we shift our eyes to Jesus, we find the fulfillment and unshakeable peace that the world could never offer.

He is the main character of our lives. He is the only worthy God. We will always fall short when we assign ourselves as the lord of our own lives. We cannot count on ourselves to provide a fulfilling life. Only God can do that.

Here are 3 simple questions we can ask ourselves to evaluate any pride in our lives and realign our focus on Jesus:

1. What or who have I been falsely idolizing or looking to for a fulfilling life?

Evaluate what or who specifically you have been lifting up in your life. Are you idolizing yourself by only seeking to fulfill your desires and living by your feelings? Have you idolized a cultural figure who lives a desirable lifestyle? Take time to think of the things you have been seeking to give you satisfaction or fulfillment. Are you constantly chasing affection from a certain person? Are you constantly striving for that specific title, position, standing?

2. Where and who can I serve?

Part of laying down pride and pursuing Jesus is serving and loving others. Almost nothing can help you enter humility and Christ-focused love quite like serving others and meeting their needs above your own. Let's look for ways we can serve others well and live out God's mission. How can we put others in the spotlight? How can we edify and build up the people around us? Use the gifting and calling He has placed on your life to bless others.

Maybe it's getting plugged into a church or outreach. Maybe it is reaching out to someone you know is struggling. Maybe it is giving up 20 minutes of your time to have a meaningful, encouraging conversation with someone. Whatever it is, we can walk in purpose when we focus on serving God by loving His people through the gifts He has placed in us.

When we walk into a room, our heart posture should be "there you are", not "here I am". Let's get our eyes off of ourselves!

3. How can I set my focus on Jesus this week?

How can you pursue God further this week? For me, this week, I can take intentional time throughout my day to practice gratitude for both my successes and failures. I have so much to praise God for, and I can incorporate more time thanking Him this week, whether things go my way or not.

Maybe for you, this will look like spending more time in the Word or in prayer. Just take a simple step. Pursue Him above all. Be willing to lay down your desires, feelings, and circumstances. Allow Him to be the priority and the first place. Ultimately, our eyes should be fixed on Him. May we look to Him for our fulfillment. May we step into our role as His Beloved.