A SELFIE? ME?!?!
Micah Smith
Today’s Scripture: "But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great." Acts 8:9, ESV
Theme: It is easy to get sidetracked, curating our own image, focusing on followers, charisma, and greatness.
CONFERENCE FAME AND HOME REALITY
A few years ago, I started a really unusual job - like one you’ve likely never heard of. I became a Developer Evangelist. Essentially, I’d help people understand and use AI and automation software through videos, tutorials, and community programs and events. For years, I'd sit in my home office recording tutorials in front of a green screen, cracking jokes, and building demonstrations. The videos got likes, people commented, and it all felt normal. Then something strange started happening at industry conferences: people would recognize me, ask for selfies, and want to talk about follower counts and podcast appearances. “Me? You want to take a selfie with me? I don’t even think my wife wants to take selfies with me.” At several points there was even a line! It was wild. The most surreal moment? Someone who was so excited to meet me followed me into the conference bathroom and asked for a photo while I was washing my hands.
Here's the thing: this only happened at these specific events where people were familiar with what I do. The other 99.9999% of the time, I'm just another guy standing in the aisle at the grocery store, contemplating why the count of hot dogs in a pack doesn’t match the number of buns in a pack. But in those conference moments, there was a real temptation to believe the hype – to think I actually was "somebody great." Then I'd come home from these trips, and reality would hit: dishes in the sink, laundry needing to be folded, and two daughters who couldn't care less about my follower count but desperately needed their dad's attention.
SIMON'S TRAP
Simon the Sorcerer (who we meet in Acts 8) had built his entire identity around being impressive. He "amazed the people" and convinced them he was "somebody great." When Philip came preaching about Jesus, even Simon believed and was baptized. But his old patterns quickly resurfaced – when he saw the apostles laying hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit, he tried to buy that power. He wanted the ability to impress people more than he wanted genuine transformation.
Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae nailed it: "If you live for people's acceptance, you die from their rejection." Simon's problem wasn't that he had influence or that people recognized him – it was that he'd built his identity on being “somebody great.” The same temptation exists for all of us. When our sense of worth comes from how others perceive us, we're constantly chasing validation and terrified of losing it. We curate images, count followers, and measure our significance by our visibility. But God's economy works differently.
Make it Personal: Where are you tempted to build your identity on being "somebody great?" Maybe its social media likes, professional recognition, or even how people at church perceive your spirituality. What would change if you truly believed your worth comes from being God's beloved child, not from others' recognition? This week, notice when you're craving validation or feeling diminished by others' indifference. Those moments reveal where you might be living for acceptance rather than living from God's acceptance.
Pray: Father, forgive me for the times I've built my identity on being impressive rather than being faithful. Help me find my worth in being Your child, not in being recognized or celebrated. When I'm tempted to believe my own hype or devastated by being overlooked, remind me that my significance comes from You alone. Keep me grounded in what truly matters – loving You and serving others with humility. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Read: Acts 8:9-24, Philippians 2:3
Weekly Memory Verse: “Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” 1 Chronicles 29:12, ESV