We Can Take the Stage, Not the Credit.

Insight 88 | The Danger of The Main Character Mindset.

In today's culture, where self-empowerment, independence, agency, and autonomy are being hailed as essential to living a meaningful life, many of us have bought into the narrative of being the “Main Characters” of our own stories. Naturally, we use that type of reasoning to fuel bold decisions and inspire us to take matters into our own hands.

While many good things come from this form of self-equipping philosophy, some of us have slipped into thinking that because this is so, we are actually the masters of our fates, entitled to be the captains of our own ships, and the mastermind writers behind the scripts we live.

And as a result, we have lost sight of the fact that even the main characters play roles in a broader narrative. Often, particularly in the greatest stories, the tale isn't about these heroes, or what they do, but about how they play, interact, and impact the lives of others and the worlds they find themselves in. We forget that God can bless and work through everyone, not just us.

Meaning, sometimes we might be the ones to take a bow, but we are not entitled to take the Glory. Other times, we may find ourselves behind the scenes, doing the work no one will say thank you for, but regardless, it’s our responsibility to do it with grace and honor. King David from Scripture is perhaps the greatest example of this.

A shepherd boy turned king, David was certainly a blessed man, but also an ambitious one. He went from the field to the palace. Many scholars believe he was a young man, likely between 12 and 17, when he slew Goliath and was anointed to become the next king of Israel. This great moment was a small highlight in an otherwise turbulent period. The next fifteen years would include a variety of adversaries and adventures. He went from being a personal friend of the previous King, Saul, to becoming a fugitive, a wanted man, and a nationally hunted individual. It would not be until around the age of thirty that these promises of the crown would come to fruition. 

In this period of preparation, there are many eventful moments, but the action doesn't stop there. Once he is King, his story only gets more interesting, and not always in the best of ways. He does have his shining moments: he unites the twelve tribes of Israel, creating one unified state; he makes Jerusalem the capital; he repeatedly experiences military success; he is an effective leader whose administration generates social, cultural, and economic growth; and he leaves behind an incredible spiritual legacy.

It is in his tenure as head of the nation that the infamous Bathsheba episode occurs, in which he sends a good man to the front lines of combat to cleanly arrange his death as he cowardly stays back from the war and takes that man’s beautiful wife. Furthermore, his family life is a total mess. Comeltely discufiontal. There is fighting and tensions all over the place. He egregiously sins by relying on his own prideful and military strength rather than the Lord, and, led by his ego, takes a nationwide census. And potentially worse of all, although he was anointed warrior and a man after God's own heart, he engaged in reckless and extreme bloodshed.

If any one single man within scripture (aside from Jesus, of course) were to be singled out as a “main character,” it would surely be David. Just take a look at the evidence. The facts and his legacy speak for themselves. And yet! I came across a very small note the other day that upended how I previously viewed this man. 

After having done all these great things, Israels king still had one more dream on his heart. He was set on making a temple for the Lord. A resting place for His presence that was held within the Ark of the Covenant. Something stunning and grand. But as the Lord would have it, he actually prevented David from pursuing this good work. Why? In 1 Chronicles 22:7-8, we read:

David said to Solomon, "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth.’” 

His intent was pure and noble. It was God-fearing and honoring, and yet, when he presented his plans before the Lord, he was met with a strict and firm no. This shepherd boy turned ruler could have the best of intentions, the most wonderful of plans, but he was still not the man the Creator of the Universe was looking for to carry out this work. Instead, God needed someone whose reign would be defined by peace; therefore, he had already chosen David's son, Solomon, to carry out this great work.

But this next part is what I really would like to drive home today. When this man after Gods own heart heard this response, he was not discouraged nor demoralized. On the contrary, he accepted the Lord's decisions and made the most of it. We learn in 1 Chronicles 22:5 that David went out of his way to prepare everything, from the plans to the material, for when it would be Solomon's turn to build the Temple:

“For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.”

Did you catch that? David, the most renowned King of Israel, stepped back, let the spotlight fall on someone else, and in the meantime made all the preparations needed to be ready when the right time and the right person would come along.

Much the same happens in our own lives. Sometimes we have our bright moments, mountains of success, and wins that contribute to our legacy. But even amongst those incredible and memorable times, we each have our calling to build up the Lord's will in another’s life. It may look different for each of us, but that's because our life isn’t about us! It’s about God and how he would like to administer our abilities for his Kingdom.

In the day-to-day, this looks like a mom sacrificing sleep to prepare tomorrow's lunch for the kids so they are equipped to face the day. It's a dad waking up early to provide for his family so they can rest easier and be prepared to face the world. It’s a child choosing to help around the home because he knows how much it means to the household. It’s that friend who chooses to let another in the group take the spotlight; he builds others' confidence.  God equips us all to be stronger together.

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Our egos are dangerous little things. We want to take the glory when the Glory was never meant for us. At this point, we are given a choice: either we proceed anyway and try to force our way in, or we take a step back, do everything we can to prepare the way for another, to help build up what they need for what God has called them to.

The important thing is to be a part of the story. You can find joy in the success of others.

In simple words, God builds us up so we can build up others. We live in a world in which we should allow the Lord to be the main character, writer, and narrator; we are simply the instruments he uses to orchestrate the masterpiece we call life.

We need people fulfilling unique roles in their own ways to build on one another and create an ecosystem of flourishing. Which means sometimes things aren't meant for you, even when you have the best of intentions. Are you “only” chasing your dreams? Or are you also helping build up the good work for the dreams the Lord has set in the heart of another?

At certain moments in life, we are only those who lay the foundation, not the one who builds the palace. This week, let’s commit to doing our part, even when its behind the scenes and something others may never know about. Let's ensure to help at least one person become more equipped to achieve their dreams.

Rest easy in knowing that when we give, the Almighty never fails to give back to us.

- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta

Sources:

The Danger Of The Main Character Mindset: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. -Philippians 2:3–4

Life Exists for God’s Glory, Not Ours: Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory. - Isaiah 43:7

God Is The Grand Orchestrator: For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. - Romans 11:36

We Take The Stage, But The Lord Takes The Credit: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Our Plans Are Only A Rough Draft Of His Vision: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. - Proverbs 16:9