I have a friend who wears a t-shirt that says, \u201cI have gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, please keep me here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To me, that\u2019s a clear picture of how confusing the journey of self-discovery can be, which, as a society, we\u2019re pretty obsessed with. We go off backpacking through Europe or take up basket weaving in search for clarity (like the basket\u2019s gonna show you who you are).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Scripture shows us a different way. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:5, \u201cLove is not self-seeking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I always took that verse simply to mean that if I have God\u2019s love in my life, I should live to bless other people, which, I think, is an accurate interpretation. However, it occurred to me the other day that maybe Paul is also informing us of the way we should relate to the search for identity and the quest for fulfillment in life. Love is not self-seeking also means when God\u2019s love comes into my life, I give up trying to find myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“\u2026look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The crazy thing is, when we do this, that is actually when we find our real, true selves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As C.S. Lewis famously wrote, \u201cLook for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have this book on my shelf titled Steal Like an Artist<\/em> by Austin Kleon. It\u2019s written for anyone who wants to create more in their life, and it\u2019s all about ridding yourself of the need to be original when you create, because, in reality, nothing is original, and if you think something is original, you probably just don\u2019t know the sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The point is: good art isn\u2019t made in isolation or by avoiding others so I can showcase my own originality. Good artists find themselves as they discover others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Living in God\u2019s love is like making good art. You have to check your ego. The idea that my originality\u2014me, my needs, my desires, my plans, my fears, my ideas of what works in life\u2014is the star of the show must die. I have to die. I find myself when I quit looking for myself and start living for Him and for other people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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