In the beginning, God created humans ‘in His own image.’ That’s not just literally, as in: we’re made in the physical likeness of God. It’s much more than that. We are created in His image, with His attributes and the potential to be ‘little gods’ here on earth. He has invested us with wonder, creativity, appreciation for beauty, thrill of the new and challenging. He has bequeathed us with intellect, the ability to reason, invent, discover and explore. In us, He has breathed the spirit of life. He has breathed His own spirit into us. Our potential is boundless. Our minds are limitless.
Such also was Lucifer. Now Lucifer was the most beautiful of God’s heavenly hosts. Lucifer was a glorious being with enormous talents and potential.
You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty… You were an anointed guardian cherub. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you… Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.
Ezekiel 28:12b-17
Lucifer took it upon himself to be as God, his Creator. Lucifer corrupted wisdom: he knew what was right, yet chose to think only of himself. He became self-centered. Cynical. Ungrateful. Dissatisfied. Faultfinding.
Does this sound familiar?
How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground… You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God. I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14:12-14
Since we are created in the image of God and we have His characteristics within us, it should come as no surprise that as humans, we become most alive, most happy, fulfilled and healthy when we are serving others. When we are putting the needs of others before our own.
When we think of and serve others first, we become pleasant, captivating, attractive and intriguing. We become grateful. We begin to see and experience joy. Our hearts sing. Our spirits connect with the Creator.
Does this mean we serve, serve, go, go until we drop? Of course not. God gave us the perfect blueprint to follow when He worked 6 days and rested a full day on the 7th. We should do no less.
While we might not say the words that were in Lucifer’s heart, (note he didn’t actually speak the words) the underlying attitude remains the same. Self-centered. Cynical. Ungrateful. Dissatisfied. Faultfinding.
Do you realize how huge this is? Look what this attitude cost Lucifer, the most beautiful creature of Creation. Jesus told the disciples: ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’ Luke 10:18
These very same selfish attitudes we harbor will cost us dearly as well. We fall. We open ourselves to attack from Satan. We become small and ugly like Satan did: Isaiah 14:16-17 Those who look at you will say: ‘Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms, that made the world as a wilderness and destroyed cities?’ [Is this puny, ugly little man the one who did all this?] -brackets mine.
Guard against these attitudes with all diligence. Don’t allow yourself to wallow in self-pity, discouragement, ungratefulness and cynicism. Learn from Lucifer’s mistake.
And start serving. Find someone else to bless. Do something for someone who is unable to give back. Serve with joy. Serve, knowing that you were designed to be most happy and whole by putting others before yourself.
May our Creator God bless you this week as you practice serving others. In blessing, you will find yourself blessed; your cup will be full and running over.