Not long ago, I read about a poll conducted by Oxygen Media that indicated twenty-five percent of American young women would rather win America’s Top Model than the Nobel Peace Prize. That’s profoundly depressing, but not surprising. We live in a culture where it’s deemed more valuable to be famous or beautiful than to make a significant contribution to society. In a “selfie culture,” the goal it seems, is to draw as much attention to ourselves as possible. Self-absorption has become the norm in our society, and it creates a real tension for Christ followers.
Let me explain.
- Our culture tells us we should look out for number one.
- The Bible says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:2-4).
- Our culture tells us if we want to be successful we need to “blow our own horns” so we stand out in a crowd and make a name for ourselves.
- The Bible says, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5-6)
- Our culture tells us that if we have servants (or employees), we will be successful.
- The Bible says, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:10-12)
As Christ followers, how do we respond to this tension?
Surely there is nothing wrong with ambition, or longing for a sense of significance, but aren’t the Scriptures clear about rejecting self-absorption?
I think the answer is found in John 13.
Most of us recognize this passage as the Last Supper. Jesus had gathered with His disciples to share a meal just hours before He went to the cross. Judas, the one who would betray Jesus, was at the table. Undoubtedly, it was a stressful meal. But something extraordinary happened. John 13:2-5 tells us something profound:
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
Verse 3 is fascinating. John tells us that Jesus understood all that the Father had given Him. He knew to whom He belonged and where He was going. In other words, Jesus had nothing to prove. As a result, His response was to display a jaw-dropping act of humility by washing the disciples’ feet. Keep in mind Judas was among those whose feet Jesus washed. Not only that, Jesus knew in the coming hours Peter would deny Him three times, and the other disciples would scatter at the first hint of trouble. Still, He served them.
The foot washing wasn’t just a nice gesture. Jesus was modeling what it looks like to follow Him. Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15).
If we are going to live the way Jesus commands, we will reject the “me” mindset that our society projects. As Christ-followers, we are called to humble ourselves. C.S. Lewis said, “True humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” There is freedom in humility. Without humility, we will miss our purpose, which is to rely solely on Christ to live the life He intends for us, bringing glory to Him, rather than ourselves. On the other hand, self-absorption is a recipe for misery. The best human being on the planet will still make a lousy savior. The answers to life problems will never be found by looking in the mirror. Life’s answers are found by fixing our eyes on the cross.
As Christ followers, we don’t need society to assign us our worth. We are valuable because we belong to Christ. He established our value at Calvary. Our jobs, wealth, education, marital status, appearances, or social standings (or the lack of these things) do not define us. Jesus defines us. When we are secure in that truth, we are free to move forward with nothing to prove. And when we have nothing to prove, we are free to serve in any capacity.
And that my friends, is of great significance.
