Nightlights

(This is from Jimmy Needham's new album Nightlights which can be found here.)

be Thou exalted over my reputation
because applause is a poor form of soul medication
and I've tried it for years but my symptoms remain-
still fretting the day that they'll misplace my name,
still selling my soul for American fame,
treating the promotion of Jesus like a well oiled machine,
advancing His kingdom just to snag some acclaim.
now I'm both comforted and haunted that it isn't just me, though.
I see a nation of people needing to feed their own egos,
parading status like steeples.
do we not know it's evil to love ourselves more than both God and His people?
but see here's where you turn this poem on its head,
because the greatest among us came as servant instead.
and You humbled Yourself to the point of Your death.
Apparently love for the Father's glory runs red.
so, friends, will we point to the Son until our own flames grow dim?
will our bright lights become merely nightlights near Him?
words echoed once, let them echo again:
be Thou exalted over my reputation.