Ideas

Dying to Our Selfies

Columnist

We’ll never see the glory of God if we look only to our own brand.

Illustration by Mallory Rentsch / Source Images: Getty / WikiMedia Commons

Greek mythology may not be a guide to the Christian life, but I appreciate the clever commentary the ancient stories offer. I was recently reminded of Narcissus, the young man who neglected all other loves and physical needs so he could stare endlessly at his own reflection. In the most common version of the story, Narcissus eventually dies while sitting by the reflection pool—the tragic and ironic conclusion to his selfish love.

The old, dark comedy still applies—maybe especially applies—to our modern ego and pride. If we want to cultivate humility these days, we have more than just pools and mirrors to contend with.

We are God’s image bearers. Yet aided by our phones and social media, many of us spend more time with our reflections than even Narcissus did, certainly more than people have at any other time in civilization. The overwhelming majority of American adults now own smartphones. And with billions of mobile devices in circulation around the world, the situation is the same in many other countries. We are a selfie society, encouraged to view and post about ourselves often, in hopes of attracting more likes and boosting our “brand.”

We forget Narcissus’ peril. But we also forget the grace that is spoken through his story: After Narcissus dies, he is turned into a flower.

Late last summer, I played a concert at a rustic flower farm in Washington State, when the dahlias were in full bloom. Rows and rows of spectacular pompoms swayed like velvet fireworks bursting from their sturdy green stems. With guitar, piano, and drums, we sang at sunset under a white canopy tent, the community and the musicians coming together to lift our voices over the flowers. We shared a palpable awareness of God’s hospitality. It was like church out in the field.

After the concert, a little girl brought me a fistful of bouncing, fresh-cut blossoms: globed purple blooms, pink shapes that looked like messy carnations, anemone dahlias with layers of lavender on white. I was delighted by them and by her kindness. We talked a little about how each one is varied and vibrant like us, reflecting God’s artistry.

Jesus told his friends, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Luke 12:27).

Flowers don’t consider themselves; they just are. Tom Petty staged them as a symbol of carefree existence when he sang, “You belong among the wildflowers.” These beauties bloom and dance in the wind and bring delight to the Lord, to us, and to the bees. If that is what God does with the grass of the field, Luke suggests, how much more could he do with us?

In the myth, Narcissus comes to a sad end. But maybe it’s also a mercy.

Grace is like a viewfinder, helping us know where to look—not to our reflections, but to the glory of God as it appears even in our ordinary lives. The heavens are speaking about that glory even now (Ps. 19), and seeing it can help us find our place as a meaningful part of God’s beautiful creation.

Fresh flowers may fade, but they are not lesser for their limits. When I close my eyes, I can still see those dahlias in my mind, and they make me wonder: What bloom has God appointed for me to delight in at this time? What song should I sing in this season? And who is the heavenly Source that hymn writer Anne Steele rhymes about?

Thou lovely Source of true delight, Whom I unseen adore! Unveil thy beauties to my sight, That I might love thee more.

To see only ourselves and to spend life captivated by our own dim radiance is, in effect, to die. And death is always a tragedy. To see God, however, is to see resurrection and new life.

Resurrection life flowers by grace. It frees us to consider ourselves less.

When we look to Jesus to remember more fully our true worth, we gain freedom from vain self-reflection, knowing instead that we belong to the one Source of true delight. We can give ourselves away, like songs in a dahlia field. We can be beautifully multiplied without any need to behold our own beauty, because we are remembered and seen by the one who matters most.

Sandra McCracken is a singer-songwriter and author in Nashville. She is also the host of The Slow Work podcast produced by CT.

Also in this issue

Our cover story this month looks at the complexity of the immigration crisis through a different lens. Rather than focusing on politics or policy, “One Christian’s Quest to Change the Way We See Immigration” profiles one particular border ministry and its vision for a specific piece of land and the stories it tells. Also in this issue: new life for a Deadhead, Jesus’ take on thrift, insights from medieval Christian spirituality, and lessons in unheroic aid from the Good Samaritan.

Cover Story

One Christian’s Quest to Change the Way We See Immigration

Blessed Are the Thrifty?

Indian Church Draws Strength from Ostracism

American Evangelicals Divide over Ukraine

Trump-Era Controversies Had a Measurable Effect on Church Attendance

Abolitionist Bible to Go on Public Display

Why Prison Ministries Are Growing

A Person by Any Other Pronoun

The Border Is a Complex Place. Jesus Is There.

Why I’m a ‘Bible Thumping Fundamentalist’

Excerpt

There Is an Edge to Living on the Edge

I Stumbled in the Steps of the Good Samaritan

Review

The Law Can’t Always ‘Love’ You

Testimony

I Was a Disenchanted Deadhead Who Found Christ on a Greyhound Bus

Our Divided Age Needs More Talk of Enemies

Paul’s View on Death Changed Mine

The Black Church Models a Different Conversation About ‘Gender Roles’

Mystics, Monastics, and the Moderns Who Need Them

Review

Secular Figures Are Giving Faith a Second Look

New & Noteworthy Books

View issue

Our Latest

News

Died: Bill Pannell, Black Evangelical Who Raised the Issue of Racism

He wanted white believers to reckon with “cultural captivity,” but saw them become “more and more American and less and less Christian.”

The Bulletin

Stop. Look. Listen. | Voting Third Party

The Bulletin’s Stop. Look. Listen. miniseries, part one: Why Matt Martens is voting third party.

Where Ya From?

Winning with Justice with Maya Moore Irons

 Hear basketball legend Maya Moore Irons’s remarkable story of faith, love, and justice.

News

How Messianic Jews Are Serving Israelis Displaced by Hamas and Hezbollah

In Israel’s only communal village of believers in Jesus, three women reflect on loving their neighbors—and their enemies—in the midst of war.

My Friend, Bill Pannell

A reflection on the trailblazing Black theologian and his influence on American evangelicalism.

News

When the Elder Calls—From Outer Space

Two sick church members in their 90s got a pastoral “visit” from a friend—an astronaut stuck on the International Space Station.

What Are Parents For?

Scripture has a clear vision for parents as stewards of our children. It’s not an instruction manual for modern parenting spats.

Being Human

Trauma, Tenacity, and Trusting God with Beth Moore

The Bible teacher and author reflects on the Lord’s presence throughout her life.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube