The idol of ego.

The idol of the ego is rife in our culture. A disordered preoccupation with our desires, status, and achievements can lead to arrogance, selfishness, and a lack of concern for others. This is the idol of the ego. When we are focused on our own glory, we are blind to the needs and worth of those around us. We ignore the needs of others and the kingdom's call to elevate God and others over ourselves. The habit of selflessness/self-sacrifice or humility is the antidote to the idol of ego.

Humility involves:

• a selfless concern for others (Romans 12:10, 1 John 3:16)
• a willingness to put their needs ahead of our own (Philippians 2:3-4)
• and a desire to serve rather than be served (Galatians 5:13)

Jesus is the ultimate example of selflessness (Matt 20:27-28), laying down his life for others (Rom 5:8, Luke 10:25-37) and teaching us to love our neighbours as ourselves (Matt 22:35-40).

The story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is counter-cultural in their culture and ours today. This is a counter-cultural moment in a society favouring arrogance, entourages, parades and spectacle; the greatest leader, the Son of God, the King of kings, doesn't come under that idol and brings a heavenly kingdom habit that we are called to emulate: humility. Jesus humbly washes the feet of his disciples, an act typically performed by a servant. This act symbolises his selfless love and willingness to serve others, encouraging his followers to adopt a similar attitude of humility and service as he walked into the ultimate act of humility, and laid down his life for ours.

Today, let's focus on cultivating the habit of true selflessness (James 2:14-17) and as we do, we can overcome the idol of ego and live a life of sacrificial love (John 15:13).

Prayer Point: Lord Jesus, I thank you that you lived a life of sacrifice and humility. You came as the King of kings, but you laid down your life to the point of death on the cross. I pray that you would remove the idol of ego from my life and instill in me a heart of humility and servanthood.