18 Feb Looking Into the Pool

I never realized how much I have in common with a proud, hard to love hunter in Greek mythology until walking through our previous series.

I never would have put Narcissus and myself in the same sentence, but now I frequently do. Just like him, I am easily fixated on myself and can be found “looking into the pool.”

The picture of Narcissus looking into the pool completely focused on himself – captivated and enthralled- unable to have any idea of what was going on around him has stirred many thoughts in me. I know we are talking about a being whose parents consisted of a river god and nymph, so bear with me. I have found myself asking “How did Narcissus always looking into the pool affect the people around him?” As I look at that picture of him at the pool, one noticeable thing to me is that he is all alone.

It doesn’t matter what end of the spectrum we are on, self-pity or boasting or somewhere in between, one thing I have become incredibly aware of is the effect my selfishness, self-focus, however you’d like to word it, has on other people. No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, relationships will suffer when we are focused on ourselves. Opportunities to engage in the “one anothers” scripture talks about will be lost.

When I am consumed with myself and my wrestle with anxiety, the last thing on my mind is being a helper to my husband. When I am planning my day around what I want to do and my kids’ needs cause that to not work out, my instinct is not to show preference to them and pour forth love and kindness. When my preference is not a reality or my expectations are not met, my bent is not to bear with another or seek what is good for the other person.

“When we are fixated on ourselves, all that God has directed us to do as His body and equipped us for will either be incredibly hindered or just not happen.”

When we are fixated on ourselves, all that God has directed us to do as His body and equipped us for will either be incredibly hindered or just not happen. When looking into the pool, we are not going to prefer one another, be devoted to one another, be of the same mind toward one another, admonish one another, care for one another, speak truthfully to one another, be kind to one another, regard one another, bear with one another, encourage one another, and the list continues. The beauty of the body of Christ will not be seen, and the good news of the Gospel which is intended to be displayed through the lives of God’s people won’t be evident.

I am grateful the Spirit continues to open my eyes to areas of sin in my life. I’ve been reminded of the necessity of considering sin and its effects, not only in my own life but in the lives of others. Knowing that the implications of selfishness are far reaching causes me to desire a deeper sense of awareness and conviction in this area.

Let’s ask the Spirit to give us eyes to see how we are focused on ourselves and our sin’s effect on others. Through confession and repentance trusting the Spirit’s work in our lives, let’s be women who deeply desire for the beauty of the church and the good news of the Gospel to be on display in our lives.

– Heather O’Shields, Powdersville