Narcissus is a Greek mythological character who was physically handsome and unmatched in human beauty.  Narcissus was led to a pool of calm water. Like a mirror, when Narcissus stared into the water, he saw his stunning reflection. He couldn’t turn away from looking at himself. Some sources claim that Narcissus eventually died from loneliness because he couldn’t see anyone beyond himself.

     I fear the spirit of Narcissus is still very much alive and well within the church today. In recent years, we have created a narcissistic form of Christianity that too many of us fail to recognize. In short, the idea of following Jesus has become a venture of self-discovery.

     Just look at the volume of Christian books on the market today. There are books on how to cope with guilt, how to acquire happiness, how to achieve success, how to manage anger, how to rescue a marriage, and even how to heal one’s soul. None of these aspirations are bad in and of themselves. Jesus doesn’t want us to live in misery or to inflict misery onto the lives of others.

     However, if you look closely at Jesus’ life, his aim was never about self-discovery. Jesus’ singular focus was to do the will of his Father. Jesus was always asking, “What is my Father thinking? What is my Father doing? What is my Father’s will?”

     The Christian life is not about self-fulfillment. Just as Jesus set his sights upon the Father, we have been invited to fix our gaze upon Jesus. You and I aren’t the point. Jesus is. You and I aren’t the main subject of our story. Jesus is. You and I aren’t the focus of our lives. Jesus is.

     Unlike Narcissus, when we bend over and look at the reflection, it is Jesus’ face we should be searching for. The Apostle Paul said that we are to behold the face of Jesus as in a mirror and that by beholding him, we are changed into his image (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).

     So, church, let’s get past ourselves, and let’s start focusing on and following Jesus, once again! Who’s with me?