It's Not About Me
The Chattanooga Fellows Program is excited and humbled to be starting its Eleventh Class this September. Since 2014, the Program has been helping recent college graduates transition well by discerning their vocation, exploring their faith, committing to community, and practicing civic responsibility.
This year, we welcome seven incredible Fellows from five different colleges, six different states, and seven unique academic and personal backgrounds. You’ll have the privilege of hearing from these Fellows throughout the year as they reflect on the ways that God is teaching and forming them in this experience. The beginning of the Fellows year is beautiful and challenging, and it is in this place of challenge that one of our talented alumni, Eva Swanson (2016-17), speaks. She now lives and works in Washington, D.C. as a consultant with Guidehouse and is a talented singer/songwriter and community-builder.
As the Fellows begin their year, and as you continue to reflect on how God is calling you to serve your community, workplace, or family for His sake, we pray these words from Eva are an encouraging picture of the selfless and seamless life into which God calls His people.
What’s the last time you felt like you had to swallow your pride and do something? Maybe you said sorry even when you may feel like you’re the one who deserves apology, or admitted you were wrong after changing a long held stance. What is that feeling and why is it so uncomfy to shed our ego?
When’s the last time you resisted the nudge to serve in a capacity because you didn’t think you were capable, qualified, or ready? Perhaps you figured someone else could do it better so why even try? Or you let fear stand in the way of taking action on something God has created you to be passionate about. Maybe you remained silent when you could have encouraged a friend with a simple prayer.
Both processes here require us to surrender our pride - the pride of thinking too highly of ourselves, and the pride of thinking too lowly of ourselves. One may prompt us to shrink down as we’ve assumed our self-importance too high, while the other urges us to take up more space and come out of hiding. Some may have tendencies towards one over the other, but we all fall into this trap at some point and need to center ourselves with faith in Him. If we aren’t serving in our city, workplace, and church out of faith for His sake - then what are we doing it all for?
I pray God would make our hearts more like Jesus’ because he was always seeking the glory of the Father, and never selfishly for himself. He never selfishly sought anything - money, power, fame, pleasure, etc. He even resisted temptations even from his disciples to receive glory based on mere human concerns (Matthew 16:23). He also never shied away from obedience and boldness. He spoke to large crowds, and confronted and confused priests (Matthew 9:10-13).
Imagine if God’s people truly considered others higher than themselves and took interest in the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). Just think about how his glory would shine through the Church. There would be a whole lot less pride of all kinds in the world if we just listened to and applied this scripture. Ego would dissolve like snow in the spring. Self-doubt would make way for a rushing river of confidence in Him.
Fight to unravel your personal prideful habits and know that it’s not about you… or us. He is the only savior here. A savior who encourages us to take the lowest seat and let Him place you where you should go. Be quick to listen, slow to assume. Quick to serve, slow to be served. There’s a Church to continue building. People to serve and love in His name. The kingdom is at hand.
- Eva Swanson, Chattanooga Fellows Alum ‘17