selfcentered

Our Bible Study to get ready for the Youth Gathering told us that we were created to praise God. Isn’t that kind of... self-centered on God’s part?"

That’s a very natural response considering that God tells us not to be proud or boastful, but to be humble.

I recently read a book called It’s Not About Me by Christian author Max Lucado. One chapter is entitled "Divine Self-Promotion." In response to all the times we are told to praise God and give him glory, Lucado writes:

"Surprised? Isn’t such an attitude, dare we ask, self-centered? Don’t we deem this behavior "self-promotion"? Why does God broadcast himself?

For the same reason the pilot of the lifeboat does.

Think of it this way. You’re floundering neck-deep in a dark, cold sea. Your ship is sinking. Your life jacket is deflating. Your strength is waning. Through the ink-black night comes the voice of a lifeboat pilot. He’s there, but you can’t see him.

What do you want the lifeboat driver to do?

Be quiet? Say nothing? Sneak his way through the drowning passengers? By no means! You need volume! Amp it up buddy! In biblical jargon, you want him to "show his glory." You need to hear him say, "I’m here. I’m strong. I have room for you. I can save you!" Drowning passengers want - need - the pilot to reveal his power and superiority.

Don’t we want God to do the same? Look around. People thrash about in seas of guilt, anger, hatred, despair, sin. Life isn’t working. We’re going down fast. We need to see God’s glory. We need a strong hand to pull us into a safe boat.

And once aboard the lifeboat, what becomes our priority?

Simple. Promote God. Declare his power and superiority. "Hey! Strong boat over here! Expert pilot. He can pull you out!"

In short, we praise God not so much for his benefit, but for ours and the people around us. We need reminders that God is the great one - not us. And the people around us who are drowning in the sea of life need to hear that God is the only one with power to pull them out.

Thanks for Asking!
Pastor David

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