195 of 365 - Humility

​For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:11
 
Self-Promotion for Dummies.
Self-Promotion for Introverts.
Self-Promotion for Women.
Self-Promotion for the Creative Person.
Why Self-Promotion is the Key to Success.
How to Master the Delicate Art of Self-Promotion.
The Art of Tactful Self-Promotion.
How to Self-Promote without Being a Jerk.

These are some of my favorite titles from a quick ”self-promotion” Amazon search. The world screams at us to promote ourselves. “If you don’t do it, no one else will.” Or, “Success is 1% perspiration and 99% self-promotion.” And, “You need to build a brand; build a following.”
 
Writer Leslie Ludy reflects, “It’s easy to justify self-promotion because it often seems so wise and logical. After all, the more noticed and popular we become, the better Christian witnesses we will be, right? But surprisingly, that’s not God’s pattern at all.”
 
Dining at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, Jesus unassumingly observes the interaction buzzing around him. The vying, the posturing, the subtle and not so subtle strategies. “You see, a great seat can not only reflect social standing but can also create it,” is the unspoken motto they subscribe to.

Jesus has a few things to say about self-promotion. While the room is still humming with whispers, Jesus begins to speak. Almost immediately the room is silent, all eyes on Him.

To be continued…
 
Questions: Where do you feel pressure to promote yourself? How do you think self-promotion can get us in trouble? What are some of the potential pitfalls?