My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God. ~ Oswald Chambers
Most of us are familiar with Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It makes sense intuitively. The top tier, self-actualization, is defined as “the process of fulfilling one's potential.” What could be wrong with this? Even spiritually speaking, don’t we want to become all God created us to be?
OSWALD CHAMBERS’ INSIGHTS
However, Oswald Chambers, the well-known author of My Utmost For His Highest, sheds light on this humanist model. He noted that in his day (predating Maslow), the phrase growing in popularity was, “I must realize myself.” Or to put it in more modern language, “I must self-actualize.”
Chambers notes that “Our Lord’s teaching is always anti-self-actualization. His purpose is not the development of a person; His purpose is to make people exactly like Himself.”
THE LIE
What is the lie of self-actualization? The word “self” points to the problem. Oh, how we’ve run with this humanist worldview over the years! In fact, I think we’ve taken “Self” to new heights. Self-promotion, self-improvement, self-branding, self-advocacy, self-care, selfies! No wonder we inhale self-actualization as unthinkingly as the air we breathe.
And so we can unwittingly operate in this mindset of “self-development” as we study the Bible, intercede for others, and do ministry. Here’s what I’ve learned is the tipoff that I’ve succumbed to this thinking: When I’m doing all the “right” things in order to “grow” but fail to connect authentically with my Beloved. For example, Bible study is a good thing, but as Bill Johnson says: “We must require of our own hearts that the knowledge of him takes us to him.”
TRUSTING GOD TO SANCTIFY ME
Chambers says, “Give your heart to God for keeping and working out his light in you.” And then he adds, “Or do I think I can self-actualize?”
I had taken seriously the first half of Philippians 2:12-13, which says to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” I was focused on doing my part. Chambers helped me see that I had neglected the second half of this passage: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” What good news! What wonderful permission to lay down unhealthy striving!
REDEMPTION
Oswald Chambers died before Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs was published in 1943. But I’m quite sure that if Chambers had lived to see it, he would have argued that redemption was man’s top-tier need, not self-actualization. Redemption cannot be accomplished by the self. God has to do the work. In the end, both our salvation and our sanctification are his power at work in us and will meet every longing for fulfillment and significance.
So true God has to be at the top. I am living proof. Before Christ in my heart, my life, I had a don’t be, don’t live, don’t exist script, I was looking everywhere for validation. God took me through a process of accepting the self God created me to be, a process of embracing my humanity. No more running after self fulfillment, self validation. Oh what glorious freedom it is to die to self and become who Christ intends one to be. Thank you Ruth this reminds me how far He has brought me. 🙌🏻🙌🏻