Stop what you’re doing. Right now. And answer this question honestly:

When people think of you, what comes to mind?

Is it your success? Your house? Your athletic ability? Your intelligence? Your sense of humor? Your generosity? Your helpfulness?

Your answer just revealed what your life is actually centered on. The question becomes: does it point to Christ?

The Uncomfortable Truth About Christian Identity

Most people are obsessed with how they’re regarded—just not in the way that matters. You want people to think you’re wealthy, fun, smart, athletic, beautiful. The “nicer” ones among you want to be seen as philanthropic, helpful, generous. But don’t you see? Every single one of these centers on you. You are the focal point. You are the star of your own show.

But not Paul. Not the early Church: “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1). Paul didn’t want the Christians in Corinth to be known for their likability, their intellect, their work ethic, or their philanthropy. He wanted one thing: that people would see them as under Jesus, owned by Him, representing Him, devoted to the deep things of God. He wanted them to live like the entire point of their existence was to point away from themselves. And, point to Him.

For himself, Paul didn’t want to be known for his rabbinical training or his Roman citizenship or his missionary success. He wanted to be regarded as someone who was under the Lord. Someone whose life was so consumed with Christ that people couldn’t think of Paul without thinking of Jesus.

The question that should keep you up at night is this: Are people thinking of you this way?

The Reality Check

Here’s an exercise that will either confirm your spiritual maturity or shatter your religious delusions: Ask people what they think of when they think of you.

Ask your family. Ask your closest friends. Ask your coworkers. Ask your neighbors. Ask people at church who see you once a week.

If their answers don’t involve Christ, you need to face a hard truth: you’re living a self-centered life with a thin layer of Christianity painted over it. It’s time to wake up and repent.

Because you can say “I’m a Christian” all day long, but if your life centers on your business, your family, your fitness, your fun, your reputation—then you are not living as His servant. You’re living as your own god. And that, puts you in dangerous territory of denying Him with your life (Matthew 10:33).

The Humbling Mathematics of Existence

Let’s put this in perspective. Estimates suggest that about 117 billion people have lived on this earth. That’s 117,000,000,000 individual lives. They have all come and gone. Let that humble you. You are not the center of the universe. You’re one person among 117 billion. Your life is here today, gone tomorrow. Is this really worth making about yourself? If we’re just one in a massive number of people who have existed, what makes you think the universe revolves around you?

It doesn’t. It revolves around Someone else. Jesus Christ.

What a Christ-Centered Life Actually Looks Like

This life you’ve been given is about developing a relationship with Christ where you abide—you stay with Him, keep in step with the Holy Spirit that reveals Him to you, and represent Him so completely that when people consider you, they consider Him.

Scripture says you’re to lead a life where you leave a fragrance wherever you walk (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). And what is that fragrance? The knowledge of Christ and the smell of Christ. You’re supposed to be a living, walking diffuser of Him.

You’re told to acknowledge Him in everything (Proverbs 3:6). Not just in your church activities. Not just in your quiet time. In everything. This is a life totally revolved around and centered on Him. Not you. Him.

You’re supposed to be living so close to Christ that He is what oozes out of you. When you speak, people hear His voice. When you act, people see His character. When you love, people experience His heart.

The Mirror of Truth

So here’s your moment of truth. Examine yourself while it’s still called today. Take stock of what you’re living for, of who you’re living for. Don’t assume you’re on track because you attend church or read a devotional or say a prayer at dinner. Because if your life isn’t centered on Christ, it’s centered on something else. And anything else—no matter how noble—is empty in the end.

You have a choice to make. You can continue living a life that’s fundamentally about you, with Christ as a nice addition to your personal brand. Or you can die to yourself and make Christ your life.

You can keep pursuing a reputation built on your accomplishments, your wealth, your talents, your service. Or you can pursue a reputation as a servant of Christ and steward of His mysteries.

The Urgency of Now

This isn’t a suggestion. This isn’t a nice idea for super-spiritual Christians. This is what it means to follow Christ. This is what it means to be a disciple.

The clock is ticking. Your life is a vapor. One day, people will think of you in past tense. What will they remember? What will define your legacy?

Will they remember your success, your achievements, your personality? Or will they remember that you smelled like Jesus? That you were so saturated with His presence that they couldn’t think of you without thinking of Him?

Act now to make Christ your life. So that you spread His scent wherever you go. So that when people think of you, they think of Him.

Because if they don’t, you’re not living the Christian life. You’re living a self-centered life with Christian decorations.

And that’s not Christianity. That’s idolatry with a cross on top.

The mirror is in front of you. What do you see?