Wider Lens: Free Me from Me: Escaping the Maze of Self-Centeredness by Embracing a God-Centered Life

Are you caught in a maze and don't even know it? Today, Dr. Kim is joined by Ryan Wekenman to talk about the maze of self-centeredness we all have to navigate. When we begin living for applause, appreciation, or validation, we can easily drift out of sync with the Lord and into a life focused on serving ourselves—the exact opposite of what God calls us to. In this powerful conversation, Ryan and Dr. Kim challenge us to recognize the pull toward self-focus and invite us to shift our attention back where it belongs: fully on Jesus. We pray this episode encourages you to take the focus off yourself and go all in on Him.

Episode Takeaways:

• Self-centeredness is a spiritual issue that affects everyone.

• Control is often at the root of self-centeredness.

• We need to be intentional about serving others.

• Self-improvement should not come at the expense of God-centered living.

• The Lord is our shepherd; we lack nothing when we trust Him.

• Finding freedom comes from letting go of the need for validation.

Quotes from this Episode:

If Satan can't get you to not worship, he'll try to get you to make worship about you.

You don't need self-help. First and foremost, you need God's help.

The problem isn't self-help. The problem is thinking that self-help will save.

The way towards abundant life is serving and it's humbling yourself.

There's so much freedom on the other side of letting that performer in you die.

I think we have to be intentional about that because it's easy to absorb the culture and let that just become part of, well, everybody's doing it.- Dr. Kim

I think one thing that God has taught me and I still struggle with at times is learning to celebrate others. - Dr. Kim

I think what God is teaching me now, as old as I am, is that just do what I want you to do. - Dr. Kim

Time to Reflect:

1. Where in my life am I most tempted to seek applause, appreciation, or validation instead of simply seeking the Lord?
2. How might my focus on myself be affecting the way I love and serve my spouse and the people around me?
3. What is one practical way I can shift my focus from myself to Jesus in my daily decisions and interactions this week?

Connect with Ryan:

• Website: ryanwekenman.com; redrocksaustin.com

• Podcast: Afterthoughts Podcast; Stories in Scripture

• Instagram: instagram.com/ryanwekenman

• YouTube: YouTube.com/@ryanwekenman