"Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was He [God] angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter His [God’s] rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief." Hebrews 3:16-19
We all know Christ through God's revelation. And yet, we rebel, sin, and disobey. That rebellion and disobedience weakens your faith. That weakened faith eventually leads to self reliance. Finally, the "I can do it myself” mentality empowers us to let our relationship with Jesus fade. That self reliance can morph into what I call the "Me Monster." When Jesus fades... He is no longer a strong influence in a student’s life. The result is a life that bears no fruit from a student who receives no rest.
The Me Monster... what is it? It's a relationship killer. Every relationship is dead on arrival if it's involved. You may not be the "Me Monster", but you certainly don't want to be involved with one or hang out with one. Me Monsters will drain you of everything you have, everything. They will take, consume, and gobble until nothing is left. Me Monsters will elevate themselves at your expense. They are the epitome of "misery loves company." They need to be affirmed... and if they don't get that affirmation... watch out.. they will try to make you feel as unworthy as they feel and possibly end the relationship.
How many people, of all ages, are hoping to find someone? To find someone to love and to love them back. To find someone to make them feel good… to find someone to give them hope. To find someone to make them finally feel worthy, to be accepted “as is”... flaws and quirks included. The Me Monster isn't looking to invest in the relationship, they are looking to get what they need and will ask and ask and ask for it. And if it isn't there... if they don't get it... watch out... again they will try to make you feel as horrible as they feel and possibly end the relationship.
How many people, of all ages, are hoping to find someone? To find someone to love and to love them back. To find someone to make them feel good… to find someone to give them hope. To find someone to make them finally feel worthy, to be accepted “as is”... flaws and quirks included. The Me Monster isn't looking to invest in the relationship, they are looking to get what they need and will ask and ask and ask for it. And if it isn't there... if they don't get it... watch out... again they will try to make you feel as horrible as they feel and possibly end the relationship.
The Me Monster is depicted in the romantic comedy movie Jerry McGuire (1996). It starred Tom Cruise as sports agent Jerry McGuire. The movie was a huge financial success and produced several popular quotes including “You complete me.” For all of you that love that quote, know it communicates the wrong message. The thing is, when we look for people and relationships to complete us, to make us feel worthy, we set those people and relationships up to fail because we are the Me Monster.
There are a plethora of movies where the main character is looking for someone who will love them. Someone who will sweep them off their feet. The reason we love these movies is because we essentially live vicariously through these characters. So, we root for the underdog, vis a vis, us. Isn’t that what Cinderella is all about? Dear John? Or something a little older like While You Were Sleeping? Why is there always a love interest in super hero movies? Or women in the middle of action flicks?
It's the same formula that always works... the girl is deemed worthy enough, pretty enough, smart enough, or talented enough to be chosen above everyone else and saved. They are swept away to a different life, hopefully a perfect life. And, for the guy, the idea is to be the one that slays the dragon. To be the one who saves the girl and provides the perfect life. The one who is the hero. The one who has earned her love.
It's the same formula that always works... the girl is deemed worthy enough, pretty enough, smart enough, or talented enough to be chosen above everyone else and saved. They are swept away to a different life, hopefully a perfect life. And, for the guy, the idea is to be the one that slays the dragon. To be the one who saves the girl and provides the perfect life. The one who is the hero. The one who has earned her love.
The secret to finding that perfect life… to finding the best person for you… is to lead a self examined life. Let me say this again... YOU MUST KNOW WHO YOU ARE… your goals, values, needs, morals, and so on. Until you accomplish that, every relationship IN YOUR LIFE is doomed to fail. Men and women, boys and girls, teachers, youth pastors, coaches, mentors, parents, and friends are not equipped to make anyone feel worthy.
Those people can say all the right words, do all the right things, spend an absurd amount of time with you affirming your great qualities, but that "worthy" boost doesn't ever seem to last. That is because Satan will always be around the corner, crouching, ready to pounce and destroy any worthiness, any confidence, any esteem you may have obtained. That is what Satan does, and he's good at it.
Those people can say all the right words, do all the right things, spend an absurd amount of time with you affirming your great qualities, but that "worthy" boost doesn't ever seem to last. That is because Satan will always be around the corner, crouching, ready to pounce and destroy any worthiness, any confidence, any esteem you may have obtained. That is what Satan does, and he's good at it.
Eventually we all experience mean, rude people that can ruin our day with a few words. They can be co-workers, teammates, bosses, teachers, coaches, and even your spouse… anyone can make you feel worthless if you don't know Jesus as your Savior. You will have expectations that will not be met. Eventually people will disappoint you. Disappointment often feels like people don't care. You aren't worthy to get want you want... what you need. Disappointment doesn't feel good.
The solution to disappointment is to know who you are. Then you realize it's not you... it's them. So, do you know who you are? Do you know what you want out of life? Do you know your purpose? Do you even have a purpose? To answer those questions takes a great deal of effort from you. There are no shortcuts on this one.
The solution to disappointment is to know who you are. Then you realize it's not you... it's them. So, do you know who you are? Do you know what you want out of life? Do you know your purpose? Do you even have a purpose? To answer those questions takes a great deal of effort from you. There are no shortcuts on this one.
God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for you and me. As intangible as that may be to you… just remember that someone died for you. Think about that tonight… Jesus died for you. Only Jesus can make you feel worthy. Only Jesus can make you feel valuable. In fact, who else has proved His love better than Jesus? Truth is no one can complete you except Jesus. No one fills that void except Jesus. Jesus will remove the void instead of merely covering it... He fills it with Himself.
The best we can get, with people, is someone to compliment us. Look at peanut butter. It doesn’t need anything to make it better. It's complete as is with just peanuts. Jelly is the same. Jelly is jelly. It doesn’t need anything else to make it complete. But, put them together and they form my favorite sandwich. It's magic when they get together. Peanut butter isn’t trying to change jelly. Jelly isn’t trying to change peanut butter. They know who they are and know their purpose.
The truth is everyone is a Me Monster. The real danger is your Me Monster, if left unchecked, will ruin your life too. Nothing makes your life more complete than Jesus... you and Him. Give Him the opportunity to come through for you. He is the only one who can defeat your Me Monster. Give it to Him, He will not let you down.
The best we can get, with people, is someone to compliment us. Look at peanut butter. It doesn’t need anything to make it better. It's complete as is with just peanuts. Jelly is the same. Jelly is jelly. It doesn’t need anything else to make it complete. But, put them together and they form my favorite sandwich. It's magic when they get together. Peanut butter isn’t trying to change jelly. Jelly isn’t trying to change peanut butter. They know who they are and know their purpose.
The truth is everyone is a Me Monster. The real danger is your Me Monster, if left unchecked, will ruin your life too. Nothing makes your life more complete than Jesus... you and Him. Give Him the opportunity to come through for you. He is the only one who can defeat your Me Monster. Give it to Him, He will not let you down.
Have a good and godly day.
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