I was chatting yesterday with one of my closest friends on the planet–a very wise man and mature Christian–when he tossed me this sage and piercing insight:
“Mark, The day I am not surprised by being praised is the day I know my humility is gone.”
He is right.
My version of the same point goes something like this:
“I always want to be SHOCKED when someone praises me, especially when it is a matter of my positive influence on their faith walk.”
That conversation got me thinking and praying about pride and humility. One of my first and most enduring thoughts was realizing how seeking worldly praise means God’s love is ABSENT in us.
It is a reminder that believers do not need man’s glory to be fulfilled because their love of God gives them fulfillment.
Believing in God is impossible when we are addicted to the glory of others (John 5:44).
I call this Center Stage Christianity. We want human praise and being on center stage in the spotlight MORE THAN WE WANT JESUS.
Putting a stop to Center Stage Christianity starts when we accept Jesus and surrender all rights to self. When we believe that God will glorify us according to his plan. When we know that receiving God’s glory is not really our glory but HIS GLORY being shared with us.
Resisting the powerful allure of being washed with lights of praise on the center stage can be summed up with one word—SATISFACTION.
The only way to break the grip of craving human glory is becoming SATISFIED IN CHRIST and feeling God’s approval. It is then that our addiction to human approval is eviscerated.
I ask God to open my eyes to his glory…ONLY.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you chasing or cherishing compliments?
“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” John 5:44
