We tend to take ourselves pretty seriously, don’t we?  We are often the centerpiece of our own world – and perhaps not just because we’re arrogant, but because we do actually need to survive.  Yes, it’s human nature to stress about how others perceive us, but it’s also human nature to do everything we can to prevent ourselves from starving.  Both require a good dose of self-centeredness.

So is it wrong to be self-centered?  We can probably all agree that spending a little less time worrying about whether we’re having a good hair day is a noble goal, but is it so bad to want to eat when we’re hungry?  Surely it’s not wrong to do everything we can to survive, right?

Of course it’s not wrong to seek out food when we’re hungry – that would be ridiculous!  Self-preservation is natural, and it’s why, for better or worse, each of us is inherently self-centered.  If we weren’t, survival would be impossible!

But consider this: When our eyes are focused only on ourselves, we miss the bigger picture around us.  What about the other people who are hungry?  What about how other people think we feel about them?  What about other peoples’ very survival?

The God we worship invites us to be part of a story so much larger than ourselves.  It’s a story that begins far before we were around, is far greater than we can imagine, and leads directly to eternity with Him in heaven. 

It’s a story we will completely miss if our eyes are trained on ourselves.

So when we ask, “What is God’s will for my life?” – maybe we’re asking the wrong question.  What if, instead of asking His will for me, I asked where I fit in His will?  What if, instead of placing myself at the center of God’s plan, I took a step back and realized that He is at the center of an eternal plan far beyond my understanding, much less my immediate circumstances, and He invites me to play a part!

How can I know God’s plan?  Knowing God’s plan begins with knowing His heart.  And knowing His heart is impossible without knowing His words.

Look at the scripture and you’ll see it over and over.  God loved us so much that He died for us, and whoever believes in Him will be saved (John 3:16).  He desires that none should perish, but that all would be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

Do you recognize the freedom you have in Jesus Christ if you’ve placed your trust in Him?  He doesn’t dictate orders from on high, or make demands of us.  He doesn’t force us to do anything!  No, He invites us into His arms with incredible mercy and grace, shows us His heart, and encourages us to step out in faith to play a part of the bigger story.

Today, I hope you’ll take a few minutes and ask God for His heart, without any mention of yourself.  Search the scriptures for His plan, without unintentionally placing yourself at the center.  It can feel strange, because we are naturally self-centered people!  But when we’re aware of His heart, we can take steps of faith with confidence, freedom, and humility, knowing that we are part of a story far greater than our own.