Leggo my Ego!
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
January 21, 2010

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)

I had the pleasure of attending a Pastor's Conference in Orlando this week with several hundred pastors from around the country, and even a few from around the world.  I say "pleasure" because indeed it was edifying and challenging to hear some of the keynote messages that were delivered throughout the conference.  God truly has blessed the body of Christ with some gifted men of God who proclaim His Word boldly and clearly.

Yet not everything I experienced this week was encouraging.  I had a small speaking role in the conference and as such I had access to the green room where the principal participants in the conference (speakers, singers, emcees, etc.) gathered throughout the day just prior to their appointed time on stage.  I arrived at the green room a few minutes before my allotted time, and after being mic'ed by the audio technician, waited just off the stage for my cue.

At the last minute, the conference director decided to bump my presentation to about an hour later.  This did not bother me in the least, as my new time slot was at a more strategic location in the conference program.  With time to kill, I decided to hang out in the green room and listen to several esteemed evangelical leaders engage in an interesting conversation.  As I listened (but did not participate in the discussion because my mom always told me: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!"), it occurred to me that there were more egos in the room than a waffle convention.  (I know, I know...the waffle brand is spelled with two "g's."  Just go with it.)

If I mentioned the name of some of the men in the discussion, chances are you would recognize them.  I won't, because my point is not to disparage anyone.  I watched these men repeatedly try to out due each other.  One talked about how his staff tweets his messages for him (because such menial tasks are beneath him); another mentioned his fancy phone; another talked about his automated Facebook page; and oh, the name-dropping!  My goodness!  Those men dropped more names than Tony Romo did footballs in the Cowboys' recent playoff game.

I must confess, my own ego reared its head a few times and I was tempted to chime in with some horn-tooting myself.  But then I thought of how many great men of God have fallen and stumbled throughout the years because of their pride.  And I thought to myself, "Leggo my ego!"  I prayed, "Lord give me the security and confidence in Christ that allows me to speak humbly and graciously with others and avoid the temptation to build myself up."  Proverbs 27:2 is a helpful reminder, "Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips."