The Gift of a Quiet Ego
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly is spirit will obtain honor. ”
An article in “The Atlantic” caught my eye. Arthur C. Brooks offers a scientifically meaningful and creatively astute evaluation of increased narcissism in our society. “Scholars have documented a large increase since the late 1970s in the percentage of people with a narcissistic personality, a trend that is especially clear among young adults.” Brooks continues, “The rate of depression in the United States has risen to its highest level on record.” The rise in narcissism, therefore, negatively affects our faith life.
Brooks provides a strategy to cultivate a “quiet ego.” Quieting the ego is a strategy that will continue throughout our lives. Not because we cannot learn and grow, but because society will become more challenging as social media and other new developments challenge our ability to quiet our ego. Brooks calls us to focus on “psychological changes as stronger relationships, appreciation for life, and deeper spirituality.” I find Brooks's recommendations for quieting the ego ironic, given that Brooks forms his inquiry without mentioning formalized religion.
Church participation is designed to form stronger relationships. In our lonely society, church activities are a healing answer. Faith in our Triune God provides for an appreciation of life in this world and God’s eternal kingdom. Finally, our faith offers a more profound spirituality, which seems obvious. Yet, spirituality can mean anything and nothing. The movement of the Holy Spirit moves, informs, heals, and guides our lives. Many people look everywhere for these three forms of healing, except the Christian faith.
Too often, people turn away from Christianity because they witness so much narcissism within its sacred spaces. Rather than turn away, it is incumbent upon all of us to nurture a quiet ego so we do not scare people away from the place where hope and healing can take place. Too often, the loudest personality gets a following, or the loudest layperson gets their way. Instead, it takes faithful, quiet leadership to bring wholeness to the world around us. Before we point out the loudness of others, we need to nurture our quiet ego.
