Starving the Fairytale: 5 Truths to Replace the Lie That More of Self in Our Work Is the AnswerSample

It was Satan who first established the idea of self-sufficiency. He was the one who planted the seed that we, the created, could control our own lives without the need for dependence on our Creator.

That message is alive and well today. Here are some examples:

• You’ve got one life; do what’s most important to you.
• Nothing is more important than your happiness and peace.
• Manifest the life you want, and you’ll receive it.
• How you feel matters more than what they think.
• Protect your dream at all costs.

A life of gratitude for God’s faithfulness becomes just another option as we follow the world’s advice to hoard control and power for the sake of our dream.

The enemy just has to lie about what God really says, as he did to Eve; “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Does God really say that He is the only way to life? Does God really say that He will provide for your every need? Does God really say that He is close to the brokenhearted? Does God really say that Jesus Christ is the way to life and freedom?

If the enemy can make us question God, he can also convince us that we can actually handle the power and control over our lives.

And while the enemy is playing a losing game of convincing us to be self-sufficient, God is inviting us into humility and servanthood--two things that you won’t find in the business world while people are scrambling to get to the top. Two things you won’t find in any political party. Two things you won’t find in the popularity contest of social media.

The path cannot be the same, and we cannot walk in both power/control and humility/servanthood at the same time.

When we choose humility and servanthood, we choose to live most like Jesus: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matt. 23:12

Our humility and servanthood open doors to share the Gospel, meet needs around us, and give all glory to God as we were designed to do. Only God is 100% reliable. He is faithful to restore His creation to Himself which requires humility and submission; so we can happily release any pursuit of self-sufficiency knowing that we are in the best Hands to guide us in our God-given purpose.

Time to evaluate: Where have you been most self-sufficient? How can you choose servanthood in humility instead?

God, I want to walk in humility today because I know that the enemy’s scheme is a dead end. Only You can fully satisfy my soul because You created it and sent Jesus to fix it when it was broken. Help me to see the ways in which I can turn self-sufficiency into servanthood today. You are worth far more than any dream I could dream. Thank You for Your faithfulness as I often get this wrong. My life is Yours today. Amen.