A Conversation with Max Lucado

It’s Not About Me: Rescue From the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy

You suggest that a shift of “Copernican” proportions is needed to find true happiness. What do you mean by this allusion?

Copernicus tapped our collective shoulders and pointed a lone finger toward the sun as he announced “behold, the center of the solar system.” The news wasn’t well-received, but it was true. And what Copernicus did for the earth, God does for our souls. Tapping the shoulder of humanity, he points to the Son—his Son—and says, “Behold the center of it all.” Beholding Him changes us in a healthy way. Life makes mores sense when we accept our place. The God-centered life works. And it rescues us from a life that doesn’t.

So how do we even begin to make such a change? Our culture is so “me” driven, that is almost seems impossible to shift our thinking!

Maybe we can take direction from Moses. God told him in Exodus 33 to ask for anything. Anything! So Moses made his choice. His request? “Show me your glory.” We cross a line when we make such a request. When our deepest desire is not the things of God, or a favor from God, but God himself, we cross a threshold. Less self-focus, more God-focus. Less about me, more about him. You and I need what Moses needed—a glimpse of God’s glory. Such a sighting can change you forever.

So God wants us to focus our energy on his glory? Isn’t this a bit self-centered of God?

God has one goal: “I have my reputation to keep up” (Isaiah 48:11 MSG). Surprised Isn’t such an attitude, dare we ask, self-centered? Don’t we deem this behavior “self-promotion”? Why does God broadcast himself? For the same reason the pilot of the lifeboat does. When you are drowning, you need to hear him say, “I am here. I am strong. I have room for you. I can save you!” Drowning passengers want the pilot to reveal his preeminence. Don’t we want God to do the same?

Make no mistake. God has no ego problem. He does not reveal his glory for his good. We need to witness it for ours. We need a strong hand to pull us into a safe boat. And, once aboard, what becomes our priority? Simple. Promote God.

So if my role, in a meaningful life, is to promote God, how do I begin?

After Moses beheld the glory of God, his face reflected the glory of God. “The people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with he glory of God.” As we behold his glory, dare we pray that we, like Moses, will reflect it? Dare we hope to be mirrors in the hands of God, the reflection of the light of God? This is the call. “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31)

And practically, how can my life glorify God?

We can begin by acknowledging that everything we have is his: our message, our bodies, our struggles our successes.

Our message: Just as the pony express rider didn’t take credit for the letters he struggled to deliver, neither should we. It was hard work and high pay. But the message was worth it.

Our bodies: We should manage our bodies, God’s house, in such a way that passersby stop and notice. “Who lives in that house?” they will ask. And when they hear the answer, God will be honored.

Our struggles: God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems. A season of suffering is a small assignment when compared to the reward.

Our success: Why are you good at what you do? For your retirement? For your self-esteem? No. Deem these as bonuses not as the reason. Why are you good at what you do? For God’s sake.

May God rescue us from self-centered living. May we have no higher goal than to see someone think more highly of our Father, our king. After all, it’s not about us.

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