Devote Ourselves to Humble Service

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In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, wizard Gilderoy Lockhart is famous for adventures and daring deeds. He has several books retelling his tall tales and continually answers fan mail throughout the story, amidst his poor teaching. But when he is faced with a situation that requires bravery, his true character shows: he’s a sham who only claimed these deeds for fame and glory. “‘You mean you’re running away?’ said Harry disbelievingly. ‘After all that stuff you did in your books—’ ‘Books can be misleading,’ said Lockhart delicately. ‘You wrote them!’ Harry shouted. ‘My dear boy… My books wouldn’t have sold half as well if people didn’t think I’d done all those things’” (J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets [London: Pottermore Publishing, 2015], 276–77). Christians often do the same thing—recount their grand spiritual lives and righteous deeds only for popularity, respect, or likes on social media. Rather than being proud and attention-seeking, like Gilderoy, we should devote ourselves to humble service in light of God’s grace.