Look at Me
“Teacher, teacher, watch me do this.” I hear this comment multiple times in my teaching week, particularly on the playground. As students think they have mastered a new skill, they want to share that with me. It validates them in their minds. It helps them stand out in the myriad of students outside and gain that prized teacher’s attention. As we all do, these students want to matter and feel that have something special to contribute to school life.
This need for validation seeps into adulthood as well. I know I often have done things for the “show” factor. I want people to see that I am smart or organized or talented or… Why do I feel the need to have affirmation from others? I could go about my business and do things without accolades, yet something within in me longs for that attention. In essence, I want to matter.
Recognition is nice, but is it required? Not at all. It is definitely not the way God operates. Scripture talks often about doing things in a quiet way and not always for show. Yet we persist in want that acknowledgement that we have done something great.
I find myself seeking God’s approval as well. When I think about it – what am I trying to prove? Am I trying to show God how good I am or how strong I am? It’s really quite ridiculous when I think about it. Me trying to show God that I have it all together or am doing something amazing, when He designed me with the gifts and talents I have is ludicrous.
Salvation is a free gift from God, not based on anything we do. Yet, our human brains struggle with that – how can it possibly be for free? Surely, we have to work to prove our worth for such an amazing gift.
Typically, this kind of thinking leads to me carrying loads that God never asked me to carry. I think back to the days when I was a young mother. I was blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids, but I definitely tended to take on too many things outside the home. Sure, they were all valuable activities and projects in the work of God’s kingdom, but they stretched my time and energy way too much. Yet the urge within me to show what I could do seemed entrenched.
Inevitably this kind of behaviour leads to getting people to look at us instead of looking at Jesus. Sure, we want others to see the light of Christ in our lives, but never us instead of Him.
We have many examples of church leaders who have got caught up in the “look at me” mentality where they become intoxicated with the praise and adulations of people and forget why they started in ministry in the first place. But it’s not just the high and mighty that get caught in this trap.
Every time we choose a task because it will look good, we are doing the same thing. How, then, can we serve our Lord with the right attitude?
Seek the Lord in prayer. Where does He need you to serve? Where are the gifts He gave you best put to use? How can you shine the light of Christ, right where you are?
Take time to evaluate your life choices. It is not being unkind to say no to things that spread us too thin. Yet, we also need to be open to areas where God is challenging us to stretch ourselves and trust in Him.
A new year is a time for new focus. Innately we want to improve on the past and expand our horizons wherever possible. Consider how God wants you to do that this year and let Him guide you.
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