Less of Me

Tonight, I felt distracted while singing the somewhat routine words of worship. It would take a novel to truly explain everything God has been teaching me over the last several weeks. But within the lyrics of the song, my ears caught the line, "More of you and less of me," I began to wonder if my generation truly understands the meaning of those words we insert into so many of our worship songs.

I'd like to begin by saying I don't mean to address the world. I mean to address my brothers and sisters. Because you see... We've been adopted into this incredible family, not because of anything we've done, but because of how much we're loved. But after entering into the family, we take on an identity.

There is a part of me that wonders if perhaps being a Christian is somehow trendy? If there is an image that we put out intentionally so that others will look at us and think, "Wow, he/she must be really close to God." We make a show of our Quiet Time with Christ. We post pictures from mission trips, VBS and service projects so others will see our humility. And we wear modest clothes that are still with the times because we want the rest of the world to know you can honor God and still look good. And we love praying out loud and talking about how God has moved in our lives so that others will see us and dare I say it... Admire us.

Less of me, more of Him.

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them. For then you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven." Matt 6:1

It's been a long time coming, but it's becoming evident to me that my faith can't be about me. No matter how badly I want that Christian guy to look at me across chapel and see my hands raised in worship. My faith can't be about me.

Because my faith is about bringing glory to Christ. In my brokenness... The one who sees my secret brokenness loves me. And in true humility... on my good days... I want others to see the fruit of my faith and not see me, but see and desire God.

"When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret and your father who sees in the secret will reward you." Matt 6: 3-4

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross." Phil 2:3-8