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Me Monster

My all-time favorite comedian is Brian Regan. He is funny and clean–a hard combination to find these days. In one of his routines, he talks about running into a "Me Monster," a guy he doesn't even know who is doing all the talking for everyone else and trying to top everyone’s story. It is hysterical and convicting. He warns, “Beware of the Me Monster!”

Identifying Me Monsters is easy because they are completely consumed with themselves. Once you’ve met one, you will never forget one. Me Monsters are everywhere. They lurk in sports, in schools, in businesses, in communities, and even in families.

There are three characteristics all Me Monster’s have in common:

1. They are self-absorbed
2. They care more about themselves than others
3. They have no self-awareness

The first full-blown Me Monster I met was a teammate on my college lacrosse team. He was excited after a tough loss just because he scored his goals. His excitement about how well he played and what he did on the field as an individual was vividly evident, regardless of the team's performance. He had all three Me Monster characteristics.

What bothered me most was that I had the same selfish drive as him, but it was hidden in my heart. Over time, I started to see that I was just like him, but I kept it secret. I was consumed with my own play, not wanting to celebrate other players doing well, and wanting all the glory. He just let it all hang out because he didn't care what others thought. What you saw is what you got. That made me worse than a Me Monster; it made me a hypocritical Me Monster!

I have learned that there are 3 ways to kill the Me Monster:

1. Celebrate other’s success
2. Pray for others
3. Serve others

Fathers and sons, we have too much pride and not enough humility. We have too much selfishness and not enough serving. We have too much self-promotion and not enough celebrating others. We must be committed to celebrating the success of others regardless of our success. We must be committed to always pray for others. It is hard to be a Me Monster when we are lifting others up in prayer.

Give each other permission to call each other out when you start showing Me Monster behavior. A simple “Hey dad, you’re acting like a Me Monster!” will quickly ground you and help you stop trying to impress everyone. Men, beware of the Me Monster and remember; it’s not about you.

Take Action

1. Do you know a Me Monster? How did that person make you feel? How did you respond to them?
2. How can you help each other from becoming Me Monsters?

Father, I know it is easy to identify others as Me Monsters. It is easy to see others' gaps, weaknesses and sins. Lord, forgive me for judging others. Heal me of my pursuit of self and teach me how to die to my self every day. Today, I give You all the glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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