The Trap of Self

by Tom Gilbert
Published October 29, 2004

Finding God

It's all about seeking and finding God. If you are willing to look then you will find God. We believe we can help in your search. Read the articles below, meditate on the content and be open-minded. Finding God is not hard. Remember - you are not alone.

WHY?

Why should I be concerned with finding God? Consider the old joke: "I have three favorite people: me, myself and I!"

Not everyone is an egomaniac, but we all suffer from self-centeredness. Whether we recognize it or not, we often behave as if we are the center of our own universe. We try to run the show and act on self-propulsion. Some of us are even pretty good at directing others and exerting control. Eventually this is a dead-end. It's simply an impossible scenario for each of us to run the world around us. People are going to resist and resent it. Besides many other people are trying to run everything, too. It's the "too many cooks in the kitchen" syndrome.

That's not what I was taught!

This probably goes against the grain of what you've been taught. We are told from early age that we need to apply ourselves, work hard and be the best we can. The trouble comes when we try to do this with the self in the director's chair. You don't have to look very far to see what a mess we make of our lives and the world when we try to run things on our own power. There is really only one who has all power.

Turning your life and will over to a loving God is a big step. Oh what sweet release when we do! It's like lifting a very heavy weight from your shoulders. So let go, resign from your job as the chief executive officer of the world! It's too big of a job and none of us are equipped for it.

Get out of self

The apostle Paul knew the importance of getting out of self and doing for others. In one of his many epistles he wrote, "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Letting go of our lives and turning to our Heavenly Father can be scary. There are still going to be problems in your life. Events might seem overwhelming at times. You could face incredible trials and tribulations (you probably will some time in your life).

You have to have faith and trust in God that if we let Him run the show he'll do a good job. We want to encourage you and we want you to know we are right there with you. We're human and subject to mistakes, failure and sin. However, we believe that in finding God we've found a better way to live. We are choosing to live the solution. There is a solution and it is available to everyone! Are you ready to know God?

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