You’ve been given a gift. You have something unique to offer. You’ve studied, worked hard and developed a skill or idea and now it’s ready to be put into action or taken to the marketplace. There’s a problem though. Nobody knows. Seriously, they don’t. Maybe your mom knows or a couple of close friends, but that is honestly about it. Yes, you’ve mentioned it to people in passing and a few have seen you tinkering with it but they don’t even really know. Maybe they should? But, I’m telling you, they don’t. And someone is going to have to tell them. (Cue heart palpitations)
Allow Myself To Introduce…. Myself
Depending on your personality this is either no big deal or this makes you want to dig a hole and attempt to bury yourself alive. A great number of people (myself included) fall into the second category. Few things draw on the acid reflux response like SELF PROMOTION! Instantly we begin to see our friends snickering about us. We envision ourselves as that guy in the low-budget used car commercial complete with a tweed sports coat and questionable mustache. We feel our respectability flush out of us like a kid’s inflatable swimming pool with a hole in it. But why? Much of it has to do with not wanting to be seen as an ego maniac. We don’t want to be viewed as someone who thinks they are “all that.” That’s good right? To a degree it is. More about that in a minute. Perhaps the other reason we don’t want to be viewed that way is because that is how we feel about other people who are promoting their gift or skill and we wouldn’t want to be criticized in the same way we criticize them. That may be painful, but it may also be true? (Click here to read my post, “To Lead Is To Be Misunderstood”)
Now let me be clear: self absorption is gross. Arrogance and self-worship are not only “turn-offs” to people, they are also idolatry before God. That’s a big deal. But often, what we call self promotion is not self-absorption or self-worship but is genuine humility on display. It takes genuine humility to ‘put yourself out there’ in a way that simply presents what you have to offer with the possibility of being rejected or misunderstood. Of course, there are those that “put themselves out there” in a way that says “worship me in the same way I worship myself!” but we’re not talking about that. I trust you are able to recognize the difference. And therein lies the issue: we can see the difference in other people so why can’t we trust others would see the difference in us? I truly believe it falls under the categories of ‘the fear of man’ and ‘false humility’. (Click Here To Read My Link ‘You Worship What You Fear’)
Self promotion or letting your light shine?
Proverbs tells us that the fear of man is a snare. Develop that thought a little more. It’s a trap, meaning it keeps you from moving forward. I have dealt with it and I still deal with it to a degree but the Lord is helping me. He can help you too if you will acknowledge the issue. False humility says, “No, let me prefer someone else,” when, in truth, you’re hoping someone will see that and prefer you! In the perfect world it would work that way. Everyone would pay everything forward and no one would have to bring attention to themselves in any way. Unfortunately it doesn’t. You may have to present what you have to offer and just let it sit right there for all to consider, criticize, celebrate or just completely ignore. That takes real humility and I need more of it. Do you? What can look like self promotion may be humility in action? You can’t always judge it at face-value. When we give others the benefit of the doubt, we can start giving ourselves the grace we need to simply offer what we have.
So, the next time you see a post on social media about my latest blog, or a podcast I’ve recorded, or a message I’ve preached, know that I have wrestled to an unnecessary degree to even tell anyone about it in the first place because I struggle with this whole idea of self promotion and I don’t want to be seen as a arrogant and self-absorbed. That means I too am still struggling with keeping my heart pure before the Lord and am still trying to be free from the snare of the fear of man. Jump in there with me. Let people know what God is doing in you. No one is asking you to think you’re the best or that what you have to offer is any better than what someone else is offering. Just offer it with humility and allow your approval to come from the Father above. Give Him the joy of looking down at His child’s scribble and getting to place it on His refrigerator. God delights in you and in what He has invested in you today. Offer it back to Him and let the chips fall where they may. I guarantee, no matter if the world criticizes it, celebrates it, or ignores it, your Father will be proud. (Click Here To Read My Post ‘Vain Imaginations: What Do You Mean?’)
From the Bible
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – Proverbs 29:25 NIV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – I Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16 NKJV