Jan 27, 2009
Sometimes putting others first requires that you promote yourself.
Like this post?
If you want to serve people with your unique message, skill, or product, those people almost certainly need to hear about you.
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© 2012 Abuyo. All rights reserved.
Interesting ~
Of course the One who does this most purely, is God who must promote Himself as the greatest need of mankind, because He is.
I’m not so sure about that – the body of your post seems correct, but I do not believe the title follows, for, as Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”
I’m sure there’s something to be said about the difference between “praising oneself” and “promoting oneself”, but in any case it seems to be of the same vein.
Wow. I needed that.
Is there tremendous pressure to come up with such complex thoughts so regularly and then funnel them into 22 words? I perhaps am not as intuitive and adept as I once thought. Less is indeed more.
We’re trying!
This is the definition of what missionaries do on deputation (pre-field ministry, raising support–call it what you will). If they want to have a ministry to the people to whom they are called, they must tell people about themselves.
the idea behind “you” is means, therefore the promoting is not “you” per se, but the message (for instance) on which all your efforts terminate
One homeless advocate explained how he hated self-promotion, then talked my ear off about his self-sacrifice. I was put out, not impressed.
Yes! When having conversations I used to think I demonstrated love by asking lots of questions and letting her do all the talking. When the time was right she would in turn ask about my convictions, passions and opinions.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that the message I had wasn’t being told. Therefore my strategy changed slightly and now my message is spoken and hopefully heard with or without an open invitation.
Years ago, someone gave me a book titled, “How To Sell Yourself.” Sometimes this kind of advice seems contrary to Biblical humility.
(=22!)
AMEN. If more Christians would apply that philosophy as they write resumes and participate in interviews, there would be fewer unemployed, discouraged Christians.
One caveat – you need to keep the connection between you and your skills or product very close. It’s not about you in an empty vacuum of wonderfulness. It’s you as defined by what the company achieved through your efforts, or what problem was solved by your product.
JonathanP – very insightful. A good distinction.
Kara- I agree. Sometimes, for me, it is a lack of willingness to share/open up about myself and my beliefs that is really a form of selfishness.
I suppose the danger is when our self-promotion is at odds with our God-promotion. They may be in harmony, or not. Value what is supremely valuable, as Pastor Sam said this Sunday.
What a good truth. Sometimes the best way to reach a person (or teach them) is by sharing more of who you are, and what you struggle with. Thanks for the reminder Abraham!
If there is no trust, then people will not believe you.
To preach without trust is a violation of the third commandment.
Thanks for this. Especially timely for me in the midst of a job hunt and as one who struggles in interviews and is actually more self-centered by trying not to talk about herself (because I’m still thinking about myself and how I appear) than if I just thought about people’s or organizations’ needs and spoke to how I think I can help meet them.
Good word.
Who are you, again?