Narcissists Beware (the rest of us be aware)

If you want to be significant in the Kingdom of God you've got to be humble.  I heard years ago that humility is recognizing the truth about yourself and God.  The truth is, we can do nothing on our own.  The very breath we take is allowed by God.  That heart-beat in your chest you're not even aware of (until right now) has a limited number of beats left, God knows how many.  The strength in your arms, your mental capacity, all come from God.  Without his care and concern you would cease to be.  Humbling, isn't it.

But here's the amazing thing about humility, our personal humility is proportionally honoring to God. The greater your level of humility, the greater God's level of honor.

Noah built a boat.  It was a humiliating project for him.  He lived in time when no one had ever seen it rain.  He was constantly ridiculed for what he was doing.  No one believed him.  And while all that was going on he was building a massive boat that there is no way he could have accomplished without God's help.   The door to the boat was so massive he couldn't shut it himself!  If God didn't show up,  all that work and all those animals, let alone Noah and his family, would have been lost like everyone else.  That's a humbling place to be as the water was rising and the door still opened (I believe God waited until the last minute for any who might repent and join Noah).

Elijah stood on Mount Carmel and had the alter of God doused with water over and over again.  He had just witnessed over 800 prophets of Baal beg their god to light the fire of their alter but all they got was silence.  Now it was Elijah's turn.  If God didn't show up Elijah would have surely been killed and Baal would have been the god of choice for the Israelites for many years to come.  That's a humbling place to be, alone in a hostile environment with your life on the line.

For both Noah and Elijah God showed up BIG and changed the timeline for generations to come.  God was honored because Noah and Elijah were humbled.

The same happens in my life and yours.  When I start to think I can do it myself God starts to pull away.  When I recognize the truth, that any good thing that has come to me or through me has been by the hand of God alone and not my ability, smarts, strength or financial ingenuity then He is honored through my life.

John the Baptizer said it this way, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30) and Jesus said to the Apostle Peter, "My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 For 12:9).

If you want to accomplish something significant for the Kingdom of God you've got to recognize this truth about yourself and God - YOU won't be accomplishing anything at all - God will see it happen and if He chooses, will use you.   This is a tough lesson for those who struggle with narcissism.

It's easy to start thinking that I'm important to God's plan but really it's God's grace that allows me to play any part at all!

Do you have any strategies for reminding yourself about the truth of who you are and who He is?  How do you stay humble when God is using you?  Share so we can all benefit!