Chris Synesael ‏ @chris_synesael

One of the things I hate about preaching – is preaching the sermon to myself first.

This tweet by a friend of mine this past week has inspired a series that I’m going to call “Preaching in the Mirror”.  Taking time to examine where you’re at is a great way to grow as a leader, especially when you’re examining yourself through the lens of scripture.

By the way, my friend Chris is a fantastic preacher.  He pastors a church in Victoria, BC called West Village.  You can check them out at www.westvillagechurch.com

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Part 1: “Egos and Insecurities”

(I would suggest reading Colossians 3 and then read the rest of the post.)

If you were born destined to become a musician you were also born with an extra helping of insecurities.  Insecurities morph over time into a mask called an “ego”.  Egos make ugly masks.

Many of us struggle with these things.  It’s rampant for artists as we put so much of ourselves into our work but most of the world knows what it’s like to deal with these nagging companions.

I struggle with insecurities.  There have been times where that translates into an ego, usually if I feel threatened…and insecure.  Such a vicious cycle.  I want to be seen as someone who has the answer.  I want to be seen as someone who knows what they’re doing.

Here’s the truth.  Get ready for it because it flips all of the above thoughts upside down.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (insecurities). ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God….you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:1-3, 9b-10

Insecurities are part of our human nature, but we died to that old nature and we are now alive in Christ.  His peace can fill us, His character can shape us, His reflection can be seen in us.

Do not allow your insecurities to take root.  You belong to Jesus.  Your identity is in Him.  At the end of this life it won’t matter what someone else thought of your style, skills, wit, or knowledge.  What will matter is if you set your mind on Jesus.  What will matter is how people saw Jesus alive inside of you.

I want to be seen as someone who loves Jesus.  I want to be seen as someone who has found peace in the knowledge that my identity rests in who He is.

For me it was time to preach at myself.  Is it time you do the same?