The main female character in an old baseball movie shared this quotable line: “The world is made for people who aren’t cursed with self-awareness.” I’m not sure why this quote popped into my mind, but I’ve certainly experienced its truth over and over again. It seems that life would be much simpler if I didn’t know myself, if I didn’t care what other people thought, and if I didn’t have to worry that I’ve offended someone or hurt their feelings or somehow made them uncomfortable.

 

But, ironically, that’s just me being selfish. If I see that movie quote through my spiritual eyes, I’m reminded to focus less on myself. As Bud shared in his sermon this past Sunday, we are challenged by Paul to ³ “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4). In these verses, the term “self-awareness” takes on a different meaning. As a Christian striving to shine your light in the darkness, you might say the world is made for people who aren’t cursed with selfishness. Yet we all share this curse and battle continually to make God and other people more important than ourselves. Then, instead of our good deeds leading people to praise us, they will lead people to praise the only One who is truly good. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). That’s the ultimate lack of self-awareness, pointing others to God, not us, even when we do things that make people want to give us all of the credit.

 

Troy Burns