MY SELFIE

OK, let's just say that I am not a social media queen.

I am not on Facebook.  Neither am I "linked in."  I do not tweet, smartchat, flickr, or instagram.  (Though I have been known to google).  I am not a tumblr.  And, silly me, I still think "meerkat" is a cute wild animal, and "periscope" is something on a submarine.  Evidently I am not a very pinteresting person.  

My blog is my one shining example of staying current with the times.

But, I admit, I do like taking photos with my *intelligent* phone.

And I have been known to spy on look at other peoples' photos.  I especially like the people who post publicly.  This allows me to watch their lives unfold without the commitment of joining anything.  (Kinda like buying a gallon of ice cream and then hiding all the spoons so you don't have to commit to eating it).

Some people take really interesting photos.  Like small pieces of portable art, they are colorful, exotic, beautiful, dynamic.  Some people are very talented, even with a phone.  Other people are just silly.

Really, is there any need to post something every day?

And really, is it necessary to bombard the internet with copious amounts of selfies?

(Interesting sidenote: The term "selfie" was discussed by photographer Jim Krause in 2005…Initially popular with young people, selfies gained wider popularity over time.  By the end of 2012, Time magazine considered selfie one of the "top 10 buzzwords" of that year; although selfies had existed long before, it was in 2012 that the term "really hit the big time." – From Wikipedia)

People enjoy selfies because of the control they give self-photographers over how they present themselves.  Therefore, selfies are normally flattering. Well, duh.  And, don't get me started on celebrity selfies. 

But really, I have to ask…how self-absorbed can we get?

Now I'm not knocking the innocuous fun of most of social networking. But then again, I think it's a symptom of the general disease of human nature.

We are rather enamored with ourselves – with our SELVES.

It occurs to me that this preoccupation with self was the root of the first *fall from grace.*  

Can't you see Lucifer snapping selfie after selfie as he admired his beauty? Thinking that he was "all that" he toppled himself right out of heaven.

Then there's that second *fall from grace.*

Adam and Eve, again focusing on themselves, fell into the trap of self-aggrandizement and pride.  After their terrible sin, I'm not thinking that any selfies were taken.  They would have been too unflattering to the human race.

But, we must not point any fingers.

After all, here we are, so many years later, suffering from the same fixations.

Humans are an interesting bunch.

We can be narcissistic or self-loathing.  We can be egotistical or lack self-esteem.  We can be self-sacrificing or selfish.

Sometimes, even as believers, things can be confusing.

We are taught to die to self, and yet to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We are unworthy to achieve eternal life on our own, but we are worth saving.  We are taught to turn the other cheek, and love our enemies, and yet told to stand firm against opposing forces.

We can be prideful – even in self-deprecating ways.

I don't think I'd like to see a selfie of my heart.

Fortunately, there is an alternative.

There is another view.

And it was accomplished on a cold and dismal day when Someone hung from the cross.  And later, when He triumphantly walked out of a tomb.

Can you imagine if Jesus posted a couple of selfies on those days?

One a picture of unspeakable horror and suffering and pain.  A gloomy portrait.  Singularly unflattering.  

And then, a couple of days later, another photo full of glorious light.  A glowing Savior's face.  A miracle of joy.  

The most beautiful picture ever taken.

So, as we negotiate the crazy world of social media, let's be mindful of our tendencies and preoccupations.

Let's remember that *self-ease* can only come by believing in the One who paid the price to redeem us from ourselves – our SELVES.

Let's remember that though we are unworthy of His grace and forgiveness, He deemed us eminently worth saving.

Let's remember that we are not "all that" – but neither are we wretched worms.

Our true selfie can only be found by viewing ourselves through the lens of Jesus' righteousness. 

And only by following Him, can we ever hope to look like Him…

His selfie.

The most beautiful picture ever taken.

"Selfie Incognito"

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18-19, NASB)

"For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NLT)

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, ESV)

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 

(1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV)

"'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.'" (Matthew 5:8, ESV)

"Even after my skin is destroyed, 

Yet from my flesh I shall see God; 

Whom I myself shall behold, 

And whom my eyes will see and not another.  

My heart faints within me!"

(Job 19:26-27, NASB)

"I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes." (Job 42:5, NLT)

He must become greater, I must become less.

For God so loved me...

How do you view your *self*?  How does looking through the eyes of Jesus change your perspective?

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