Navel-Gazing = Wave-Watching

 By: Lauren Thomas 

I’ve always felt equal parts amused and revolted by the term “navel-gazing”. Though the term has interesting origins, the modern definition is excessive self-contemplation. Basically, it’s when we get caught up in our own shortcomings and flaws. And sometimes this might seem like the “right” thing to do - as if identifying all our filth will somehow make us fitter to be the Christians we are supposed to be. 

But instead of helping us identify our filth, I think navel-gazing causes us to identify WITH our filth. 

This is the antithesis of faith in Jesus. 

In three Gospel accounts we read about the account of Jesus walking on water and calling Peter to join him. Peter did fine with this feat, as long as his eyes were on Jesus. But when he looked at the waves, he began to sink. 

We know the story. Because it’s also our story. 

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can face life. But when we get caught up in our shortcomings, failures, and flaws, we lose sight of Jesus. When we get stuck navel-gazing, we can forget the atonement, the intercessory work, the advocacy, of Jesus in Heaven on our behalf. This, after all, is faith - looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)! 

Why would we look at our sin instead of looking at Jesus, when God doesn’t look at our sin, he looks at Jesus?

Dane Ortlund, in his book Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers writes: “Looking inside ourselves, we can anticipate only harshness from heaven. Looking out to Christ, we can anticipate only gentleness” (2020, p. 57). 

Navel-gazing is essentially a modern day parallel of Peter’s wave-watching. It causes us to sink. Navel-gazing can also trick us into thinking that we are doing something helpful, when really, we’re just over identifying as “sinner” and losing sight of our Savior who makes us saints in God’s sight.

Instead of being navel-gazers or wave-watchers, let’s join the Psalmist in singing:

“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

Psalm 63:8 ESV

Look to Jesus.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Reflection:

Do you ever get distracted with “navel gazing”? What triggers navel-gazing for you? How might your day to day life change if you looked to Jesus and not to your sinfulness?