Some of us might find it difficult to be around those who use whatever occasion or means they can to call attention to their own successes. Yet at the same time we can be blind to the endless, subtle, and ironic means by which we ourselves seek attention, affirmation, and praise.
Maybe it is because of this inclination that is rooted so deeply in our own insecurity and self-absorption that the Proverb says, “Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth–a stranger, not your own lips” (Prov 27:2).
But how then do beings like us feel around a God who seems to exist for what we don’t like to see in others? The story of the Bible is that God wants to be the center of our attention. He wants to be exalted above everyone and everything else. He longs for our praise. Few thoughts are more important than that God does everything for his own glory (Isa 48:11). If godliness is all about reflecting the glory of God, and if God is so self-centered that he wants all of the praise, what is to keep our thoughts of him from causing us to be even more preoccupied with the notice, praise, and affirmation of others?
One answer seems to be that the root meaning of godliness doesn’t mean god-likeness as much as it does reverence for God. An even better answer may be that God’s glory in being for himself—is seen in the immeasurable extent that he is for us. In other words, the glory of God’s self-centeredness is not found in his self-absorption and neediness. His glory is his goodness. His goodness is his love. And nowhere is his love seen more clearly than in the eyes, face, life, suffering, and death of Christ for us (Heb 1:1-3).
In light then do you agree or disagree that few things define our view of life, ourselves, and others than what we think of the glory of God?
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