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Midweek Blast of Epiphany Light
September 16, 2015
Kill Your Ego
There is this funny story in the bible where Jesus is talking about his pending arrest, death, and resurrection, but instead of asking about this and struggling with it, the disciples argue about which of the 12 is the greatest.  In the middle of hearing about a tragic yet ultimately beautiful event, they are more concerned about themselves. This story is both funny and horribly accurate.
 
We joke about today's youth living in an age where "everyone receives a trophy," but being rewarded for what we achieve and striving to be first has been our reality for decades.  Whether it is taking out the trash, getting good grades, or memorizing a bible verse (I still have my bible from 1987 that states I earned 4550 points!) our world is incentive laden.  Now, the bible does say that a laborer is worth their wage, but at what point does that tip over to elitism and a full-on ego trip?
 
How do you keep your ego in check? When you do well and someone recognizes that and they heap on the praise, you might as well hook up an air compressor to your head because that ego can easily inflate.  The problem is ego can, will, and has killed many beautiful things.  From sports teams (Shaq and Kobe), to rock groups (The Beatles), to successful businesses (Bernie Madoff), ego can kill anything before it has the chance to reach a hint of its success.  When we focus on ourselves and less about the bigger thing that we are a part of, we have sealed the death sentence for whatever it is we are a part of.
 
This is plaguing the church too. Like the disciples, we argue about whose church is bigger and more cutting edge.  We look for ways to cut down other churches to either discredit their success or excuse why our church is struggling.  But, aren't we all a part of something that is and should be bigger than that?  Of all the character traits of the Jesus we know, I am most drawn to his humility.  Jesus never boasts or embellishes about anything that he has done.  In Jesus there is this connection to God and the Holy Spirit (aka the Trinity) that keeps any hint of ego silenced.  For Jesus it is about being a part of something bigger.
 
So when your ego gets out of hand, ask yourself, is this about me or something bigger than me?  Is this something that will build up the common effort or just elevate me?  We are all a part of something bigger and there isn't any room for ego in that.
 
See you in church,
 
Chris 

Wednesdays at the Well tonight
Wednesdays at the Well icon
Community meal at 6 serves chili dogs and sides. Suggested freewill offering is $6/adult, $3/child; cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.
Imagine Children's Choir at 6:25 welcomes all kids pre-K through 5th grade.
Worship at 7 is a 30-minute service of prayers, songs, scripture and Holy Communion. Tonight Pastor Chris shares messages from Old Testament prophets.
HTF Golf Classic on October 8
HTF camp Now registering golfers, signing up sponsors
Epiphany is partnering with the Haitian Timoun Foundation (HTF) to again sponsor the tournament at Olde Atlanta Golf Club, Suwanee. The "best ball scramble" tournament is set for Thursday, October 8, 10 am shotgun start. The event will help fund HTF camps in Haiti next summer.
Download the flyer or visit the HTF Golf Classic website to learn more about the tournament and HTF summer camps, which have grown to touch the lives of hundreds and hundreds of children in Haiti. This year alone, some 1,300 children were served by HTF camps in Jacmel, Fermathe and the Central Plateau.
Contact htfgolfclassic@epiphanysuwanee.org to offer your help with the tournament or to donate door prizes or goody bag items. We still need a lot of volunteers!
Epiphany Lutheran Church
1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Suwanee, GA  30024
770-831-1966