Monday Memo 890: Self-Promotion 1
This week, let's continue our discussion around the theme "Put Me In, Coach," a look at the concept of putting yourself forward as ready, willing, and able to fulfill your purpose and express your gifts. I regularly have discussions with people concerned about writing a book or stepping out into other purpose work because they may be promoting themselves rather than the Lord. They are worried (yes, worried is the correct word) they will get ahead of the Lord, or somehow do something that brings glory to self instead of to God glory. Those are legitimate concerns, but are all based and rooted in fear, and we know that God has not given us a spirit of fear.
About ten years ago, I wrote a series titled "Self Promotion" so I thought it would be good to revisit that topic in light of the concerns that my friends have recently raised, which are consistent with the "Put Me In, Coach" discussion. It's an issue I have pondered for a long time, since I have been labeled as self-promoting from time to time, so I am eager to share my thoughts with you. I will need your help as we examine this issue, however, and I ask you to respond with your own perspective (whether you agree or disagree) once you have read what I have to say. We will look at this topic over the next four weeks.
CONCEIT
The main concern with self-promotion is best summarized in Philippians 2:3, where Paul wrote, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Many conclude talking about yourself in almost any situation is wrong or at least improper, and ambition is also considered to be in bad taste or downright evil. Are these interpretations correct?
Here are some thoughts off the top of my head for this week's discussion.
- When Paul wrote his letters, he clearly identified himself as an apostle.
- David approached Goliath and declared what he was going to do to the giant in no uncertain terms.
- Jesus made many claims, although sometimes veiled to hide them from unbelievers, concerning who He was and what He had come to
Let's examine that last point a little more closely.
A PUBLIC FIGURE
Jesus' family thought he was self-promoting and eager for to be a public figure as you can see from John 7:3-4: Jesus’ brothers said to him, "Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." It's comforting to know that Jesus' family thought He was self-promoting, and to some extent He was--promoting that is, but without the self and with a purpose. Is that possible for you and I to do? If Jesus was misunderstood as He carried out the Father's will for His life, then chances are you and I will be misunderstood as well.
Weren't Jesus' miracles a means by which He could gather a crowd to announce the coming of His kingdom? Did not the Father make Jesus a household name and a celebrity in all Israel? Did Jesus gather disciples whom He then sent out to extend His work and announce God's plan with even greater intensity and scope than He did? When Peter and John encountered the crippled man in Acts 3, they ordered him to focus his attention on them: "Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, 'Look at us!' So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them" (Acts 3:5-6). The apostles didn't insist, "Don't look at us, look at Jesus." They drew the man's attention to them and only then did they give him what God in store for him through them.
We are not going to settle this issue this week, but I wanted to start the dialogue with this week's thoughts. What do you think? Is it wrong to promote yourself? When, if ever, is it permissible? Does Philippians 2:3 prohibit any kind of ambition or marketing? I leave you to ponder these questions until next week. Till then, have a blessed week!