Who is the “Main Character” of Your Life?

I passed a group of teens the other day as one was giggling and saying, “It’s giving main character energy.’

Linguistic fads like that phrase come and go, and are often a glimpse into society’s values. American society, now as much as ever, encourages us to be the main character in our own story, to see ourselves as the central character around whom the story’s events unfold. As a writer, I perhaps have thought more about what defines a main character than the average person. But a main character who views themselves as the center of everything happening around them would not be a very sympathetic character.

To be honest, to look at life as a story that is all about you is by definition self-centered and prideful—and completely opposed to the example Christ has left us. Here is how Christ is described in 1 Peter 2:21-24

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who in His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

The example we are given is that of patience in suffering, a heart that has yielded all things into the control of God the Father. In that sense, God is really the “main character” of a Christian’s life. John the Baptist exemplified this:

“And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, He that was with thee beyond Jordan, to Whom thou bearest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to Him.

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him.

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:26-30)

When faced with Jesus’ growing popularity, John didn’t get jealous or make a big deal of himself. He found joy in pointing to Jesus, and seeing Him fulfill the purpose for which He was sent. John happily embraced obscurity for the joy of seeing God’s work accomplished.

Paul was another example of one content to be a mere “supporting character” in the grander scope of God’s story:

“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

What then? Notwithstanding, in every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” (Philippians 1:15-18)

Paul knew that there were those preaching Christ more to take attention away from Paul than from a heart for God, yet Paul chose to simply rejoice that Christ was being preached, trusting God to sift through the motives. Jesus actually gave us a similar example as well:

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

And it came to pass, when the time was come that He should be received up, He stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,

And sent messengers before His face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for Him.

And they did not receive Him, because His face was as though He would go to Jerusalem.

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

But He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” (Luke 9:49-56)

Luke 9 appears to be a record of the disciples’ struggle with the desire for position, honor, and attention. Three different times, Jesus rebukes them for their self-focus, and calls them to humility and a focus on others.

John’s rebuke of the man casting out demons illustrates an ungodly jealousy. Acts 19 gives us a vivid look at what happens when someone who is not a believer tries to cast out demons using Jesus’ name, so it is safe to say that John’s attitude should have been joy that people were being truly freed from demonic possession.

Dear Reader, are you ever tempted to feel offended or left out when others get recognition and you seem to be overlooked? Do you struggle to rejoice with those who are seeing success or enjoying a particular blessing from God that you feel is withheld from you?

As much as our flesh likes to be the “main character” of our lives, remember that Christ’s example calls us to a higher view. Christ is the true main character, and all that matters in the end is whether we chose to follow Him or live our lives in self-focus, acting as if life is all about us.

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” 

Revelation 4:11