But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV

In today’s world, we have a self problem. We are created to worship God, but we are worshipping ourselves. We are created for community, but we are moving toward isolation. We are created in God’s image, but we are obsessed with self-image.

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to stop thinking about ourselves. And ironically, all the talk about self isn’t helping us feel any better about ourselves—quite the opposite.

When self is at the center, your own little kingdom is constantly under attack. Conflict threatens your self-image. Critique threatens your self-esteem. Mistakes threaten your self-righteousness. You take everything personally because everything feels personal.

As a result, we end up with a world where everyone has thin skin but strong opinions. Self-centeredness is causing love to grow cold. It all feels eerily similar to Paul’s prophetic words to Timothy: “People will be lovers of themselves” (2 Timothy 3:2 NIV).

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Jesus demonstrated a radically different approach to life. In a world of self-obsession, he spent his time serving. In a world of self-preservation, he laid down his life so we can go free. In a world fixated on self-image, he showed us what it looks like to be made in God’s image.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. – John 15:1-8 ESV

My thought is simple—if we can shift from having self at the center to keeping God at the center, it will change everything.

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. – Galatians 2:19-21 ESV

Unfortunately, each of us has layers of residue from the old habits, beliefs, and pain in our past that move us toward putting self back at the center of the story. Those layers cause us to perform, compare, avoid, and control—the problems we’ll be getting at in the devotionals to come.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV). If we can escape from our self-obsession, we will no longer need to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.

Today’s Truth Statement: The self is not the center of the universe.