SHIFTING OUR FOCUS
I recently read a story titled, The Lantern, that challenged my thinking about ego, purpose, and how we serve others.
The story centers on a man named David, a gifted speaker. As his reputation grew, so did his focus on performance. He spent more time polishing his words and planning his entrance than on preparing his message. After one particularly successful event, a woman approached him and said, “You speak like a firework. Fireworks are beautiful, but they only light up the sky for a brief moment. A lantern is better; it doesn’t draw attention to itself and helps others see clearly.”
How easy it is to fall short of being a lantern. We often drift toward self-glorification, and in doing so, we block God’s presence and create obstacles in our spiritual lives. Self-centeredness prevents His light from shining through us. When we shift our focus away from ourselves and toward God, trusting in His grace, our actions can reflect His glory rather than our own.
As the story goes, David realized he had been shining for his own sake. He softened his approach. There were fewer cheers and less attention, but something more meaningful happened… hearts were opened, souls warmed, and lives changed.
Be a lantern. Learn more here: https://mailchi.mp/3d3fd3474d38/let-go-11042005