Death to self can be a mixed bag and somewhat confusing and create great and obnoxious results!! Death to self is really an invitation to have Gods view of the matter and when it conflicts with my own view I surrender to His view. But we still live in a world filled people and sometimes someone with a different view than us, also feels led by God. Frequently we don’t get our way, and sometimes we even mistake what we want for what God wants. How do we handle ourselves in these moments is really the question?
We’ve all been in the type of situation where we feel like we have a better way to go about something, but we aren’t in the position of power to make that a reality. In those moments we have to decide to intervene or acquiesce. These are challenging moments especially around matters of preference (issues not related to any moral issues). This is the egotism in the chapter title. A strong conviction one might have without the authority to exercise it. A well-kept heart can let it go. A heart that is not has many responses: rebellion, passive aggressive behaviors, my way or the Highway thinking that wants to scorch the earth rather than working out a solution.
But a selfless life begins to make sense when we learn to get past paying evil for evil, being right at the expense of others, always living in the promotion of my better idea. Its also amazing what can be done when the main concern has nothing to do with who gets the credit.
I would say that surrender to God does increase the good ideas He might give us but humility is more useful than pride. When I offer input in to situations I always tell people it comes with charity. If my perspective is useful, feel free to use it, if not, I won’t live with any negative thoughts about the matter.
It’s better to hold things in an open palm than a clinched fist. However even as I say that, there are things that deserve to be held onto firmly. Sorting out what to hold firmly and loosely is a part of Spiritual Formation. Just don’t let your convictions inflate your ego and create pride in your heart.
Funny thing about humility, once you think you have it, you’ve lost it!!
Truth, Grace, and Time 