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May 11, 2020

Spotlight Versus Shadows

14 Comments/ 52/ 0

A repost from five years ago that I needed to be reminded of.

Proverbs 25:6-7 (NKJV, The Message)
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
For it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
Don’t work yourself into the spotlight;
don’t push your way into the place of prominence.
It’s better to be promoted to a place of honor
than face humiliation by being demoted.

When I read this passage today during my devotional time it hit me.  Smack dab in the face.  And hard.  I think that is what scripture does sometimes.  I can read the same passage at different times in my life and it affects me differently. Today, for whatever reason, this passage struck me as something that I needed to be paying attention to.

Perhaps it was because I had just had a conversation with my sister about someone else who was an extrovert who always seems to have the need to turn the conversation back to themselves.  Perhaps it was because that conversation left me feeling like I had been just looking for something to criticize about that person.  I really don’t know the reason why it made me stop and pause when I read it.  But I suspect it might be because God wanted me to take a look at myself a bit closer instead of focusing on someone else.

It is easy to get sucked into the “look at me, look at me” syndrome these days.  I am guilty of that more often than not.  I take selfies and post them.  I admit that it feels very nice when people give me praise and compliment me.  Sometimes it is difficult to keep things in perspective in a world where self promotion is a thing.

“Don’t work yourself into the spotlight.”.  Of course there are many different ways to interpret this passage but today these words were a bit of a reprimand.  Be humble.  Do things quietly. Don’t self promote to the point where you lose sight of who is God in your life.  No, change that to don’t self promote to the point where I lose sight of who is God in MY life.

Stay humble. Stay grounded. Be true to who God has created you to be.  The spotlight is a there but I don’t always need to be in it. Sometimes the shadows are the perfect place to be instead.

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14 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. susi_snaps
    May 11, 2020 at 08:31 am

    Agreed. As much as I like a good compliment. I’m usually fairly happy to stay behind the scenes. Maybe that why I love photography so much – I look though life from behind my lens but I’m rarely in front of it.
    And you deserve to have the spotlight on you for all that you do and are. I’ve never met anyone as giving and lovely as you and I’m the better for it!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 12, 2020 at 03:49 pm

      You are too sweet and I could turn that mirror right back on you as I think you are one of the sweetest and most loving people I have met in my life. 🙂

      Reply
  2. dawnkinster
    May 11, 2020 at 10:15 am

    It is definitely hard not to want the spotlight, at least some of the time. Maybe even more these days when we are spending so much time alone and separated from our family and friends. I think, as long as you aren’t sacrificing someone else’s spotlight that it’s ok to look for confirmation and comments on your own work once in awhile. Just be conscious of who else might need that attention more.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 12, 2020 at 03:48 pm

      Dawn, you always have such a thoughtful take on things and I love that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.

      Reply
  3. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    May 11, 2020 at 10:35 am

    Everyone likes compliments & kind words that’s just being human. We just need to remember it is because of our Lord they we are molded that way. We need to turn the spot light on HIM.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 12, 2020 at 03:48 pm

      Great words, Shirley!

      Reply
  4. Debbie
    May 11, 2020 at 11:10 am

    Definitely a sobering passage, Beth Ann. I imagine there’s a hunger in everyone’s heart for a bit of spotlight, but we need to temper that with humility (which seeks out shadow instead). In a world where everyone seems to be screaming, “Look at me!”, it’s refreshing to find those who proclaim, “Look at them!”

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 12, 2020 at 03:47 pm

      It is a balance that I am seeking to find –it feels good to be acknowledged but I don’t want to be doing things for the wrong reason if that makes sense.

      Reply
  5. Mama's Empty Nest
    May 11, 2020 at 01:00 pm

    We all fall into the “look at me” trap, especially with social media and even our blogs. And God brings us back around I find to humility, one way or another. And I’m glad He does that in my life. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 12, 2020 at 03:47 pm

      Amen. I agree!

      Reply
  6. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    May 11, 2020 at 04:27 pm

    A good reminder for all of us.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 12, 2020 at 03:46 pm

      Thanks, Audrey. It hit me again when I read it again.

      Reply
  7. dfolstad58
    May 12, 2020 at 10:43 pm

    How nice that we are all human Beth Ann. We each catch ourselves seeking attention. You have written an excellent post because of your awareness and helped your readers be more aware themselves. – ps – I enjoy Proverbs also.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 13, 2020 at 07:15 am

      We are all human, aren’t we? That was my routine phrase when I was a teenager to my mom especially — “well, I am only human” ! I can see her rolling her eyes at me still when i think about it. 🙂 I do love Proverbs! I need to go back and re read a bunch of them because I haven’t focused on that book for awhile. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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