“Enough about me….what do you think about me.”  

We laugh, but isn’t it true? I may not say it, but there are times, I think it.

Sociologist say we are, by far, the most narcissistic culture. Never before have we built pages around ourselves so others can express how much they “like” us.  And never before have we had so many depressed people. (Frances Chan)

We are not alone….If you know anything about the children of Israel, you know they were also the classic example of me-centric people. Once they were out of Egypt, they celebrated for about a day or two, but then the complaining began.

Chapter after chapter, we hear the same repeated phrase said in many different ways….’Moses what can you do for me?’

But then something changes. They are given a task to work on.

Moses has heard from God. He gives the people very specific instructions concerning the construction of the tabernacle and all that goes into it-  The Ark of the Covenant, the Table of showbread, the lamp stands, the priestly garments, etc.

The Israelites were now on a mission. God’s mission.

And as the Israelites begin to follow God’s instructions given through Moses, something strange happens.  For the next few chapters, their complaining stops.  From creating curtains made from goat hair to constructing frames made from acacia wood, the children of Israel are busy doing God’s work.

After an overwhelming amount of detail, Exodus 39 ends with these final verses. “The Israelites have done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.”

Finally, the children of Israel did something right….and God acknowledged their work and blessed them.

Frances Chan says the same principles apply today. When we focus on what others are not doing to meet our needs, things go south. But when we focus on God and pour ourselves into His mission for our lives, God’s blessing will be upon us. The by products of peace and unity are sure to follow.

Are you in a me-centric slump?  Look around you. There are so many people who could use your help.

‘So really, enough about me.’

Let’s get started on a new mission, God’s mission.

-Binu