Since childhood I learned to be a storyteller, and I’ve always loved using my imagination to create and tell stories for both children and adults. One day, in the middle of that imagination, I pictured the size of my ego. It was giant, fierce, and angry; it had lots of hair and big teeth that it showed with irritation.

I wrote a story called Mr. Ego, and to summarize it, I realized that only when I finally recognized him did he begin to lose his power and his fury. What amazed me most was that, even though he was so huge, I had never seen him before. He fed on my need to be recognized, on my pride in what had naturally been given to me — my gifts, my talents, my abilities. How absurd! Because none of that was really mine, nor was it meant only for me.

We must let go of the natural pride that can arise from our influence. It is true that we have been given wonderful gifts from the Father, but spiritually speaking, what we are and what we can do is small, because Jesus is the true center and the true giant of our lives. When we recognize this, everything we already are begins to shine even more.

Let us pray that God gives us the courage to decrease for Him.