Betty: The sooner she gives up the need to be recognized, the more valuable her gifts to the Lord become.

AM: Why do they become more valuable?

Betty: Because if your ego is trying to get its gratification, it’s taking away from the glory of God. To be able to love God and to do it completely out of love of Him gives him greater glory. But some of us are too wounded to be able to give such a pure gift. The goal of maturing in the spiritual life is less and less doing things out of gratification for yourself. So, when you get an invitation, you take it and you discern it, “Is this what you will, Lord?” You try to give him back the total glory insofar as you’re capable.

AM: I keep praying, because I know my love for Jesus can be selfish at times.

Betty: But you want to work with Him to gradually let that be healed, because He’s worth it. 

AM: And he does that in us if we ask Him to.

Betty: Yeah. That’s why I say it’s a grace when we realize someone’s got our goat. Because oh my goodness. Here’s a door opening where I can become more completely living for the Lord. So, that’s good news. 

AM: Otherwise, we might not recognize that in ourselves. Sometimes I recognize things in myself, but it helps if you see it in somebody else, because it really charges the emotions.

Betty: Yeah. It helps you get the door open. Remember that the door is locked, because the prideful part of ourselves wants to show our good side to people, not our weak, sinful side. See, the effects of Original Sin are, “Me first, me second and me third.” I call that the Unholy Trinity. But we’re really going the wrong way. We’re meant to go toward, “I’m one in Christ, and I want him to shine so people see Christ, not me.” And then the people will say, “Oh what Jesus did for me this week.” It’s all about Jesus, and that’s good. Instead of, “Oh, I love to be around you.” I always felt when people would do that, it’s like, “Oh, Betty. You’re not doing things right if they get stuck on you.” Now, some people have the need to put you on the pedestal, and you don’t want to hurt their feelings trying to get off too soon. But you do want to direct them to who the real healer is. And I gradually found over time by not coming going across as though I’m spiritually so gifted and all of that, it’s actually easier for people if they see me kind of the way I actually am.

What would it look like for you to live in a way where people see Christ more than they see you