So this is what it is to live life?

So, last night I was watching the news and all at the same time: THE S&P HAS DOWNGRADED..., RIOTS IN LONDON BURN THE CITY, FAMINE IN SOMALIA...

It's just going to get worse. The leaders are corrupted. Famine will spread and worsen because They care more about themselves than their people. It doesn't seem like bystanders care much for others either. People stand by while looters steal the livelihood of another human being. Police stand visibly nervous as they attempt to keep peace. People jump out of windows to avoid burning in the flames set by someone else... Politicians strive harder to maintain and build a reputation than they do to financially sustain a country that they also have to live in... It's hard not to become defeated by the evil that seems to have gotten more than a foothold. How can I do something? I was listening to some Jimmy Needham today and this, Nightlights, came on. My own reputation, my own selfishness... God had been working on me since this morning as I prayed admitted that each day scares me and my own ability to complete the work ahead of me seems nil. But I know God will give me the strength to do the work. I read the first chapter of Ephesians and studied through it a little. The whole passage seems to highlight our ability to give God glory and praise-- the grace given to us so that we can work for his praise. I struggled to relate to this at the time but I see now how important it is that we abandon ourselves, our reputations, our goals, and how we think life should go to see God fully glorified and praised. What would it look like if each of us did this? I am constantly being reminded, and humbled. It makes my heart happy.

Nightlights - Jimmy Needham

Be Thou exalted over my reputation. 

'cause applause is a poor form of soul medication.

And I've tried it for years but my symptoms remain:

Still fretting the day that they'll misplace my name

Still selling my soul for American fame.

Treating the promotion of Jesus like a well oiled machine

Advancing His kingdom just to snag some acclaim.

Now I'm both comforted and haunted

that it isn't just me, though

I see a nation of people needing to feed their own egos

Parading status like steeples

Do we not know it's evil to love ourselves more than both God and his people?

But see here's where you turn this poem on its head:

Cause the greatest among us came as servant instead.

And You humbled yourself to the point of your death.

Apparently love for the Father's glory runs red.

So friends, will we point to the Son 'til our own flames grow dim?

will our bright lights become merely night-lights near Him?

words echoed once, let them echo again

"Be Thou exalted over my reputation."