Digital Detox by Wendy SpeakeSampl

Day Six

Living Beyond the Selfie Life

Scripture: Micah 6:6–8; Matthew 6:1–4

Living a private life is terribly hard in this very public, self(ie)-obsessed world. We post about ourselves, and use filters to make us look even better than we are. However, God isn’t impressed with us nearly as much as we’re impressed with ourselves. He’s not even impressed by the spectacle of our religious lives.

Take a look at Micah 6:6–8. All God cares about is that we are kind and just toward others as we humbly walk with Him. Nobody else needs to see it. Though Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage,” The Message paraphrase of Matthew 6:1–4 begins with the subject line, “The World Is Not a Stage.”

Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding . . . When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. 

Humility and unobtrusiveness, though valued by God, are of no value to the world. Conversely, what the world values is of no value to God. That’s the rub. God honors the humble and extends intimate friendship to those who are meek, but the world cheers for those who shimmer and shine, who sparkle spectacularly. Thin and beautiful, clever and quotable, wise and winsome, with happy family photos and perfectly plated food—the temptation is to play some likable version of yourself, making a spectacle of moments that were never intended to be public. 

When we are focused on loving God by loving others, not to meet our own need to look good but as an overflow of humble love, people will know who we belong to and will want in on the action! The focus won’t be on us but on Him. 

Dear Lord, Help me to quit my self-focus. No more of this selfie life; I want my focus on You and others—for Your glory and their good! In Jesus’s generous name, for He came to serve and not to be served, Amen.