Through The Bible in a Year - March 9, 2026

“I saw a woman...Get her for me...She’s right for me.” – Judges 14:1-3

Samson’s first words in the Bible: “I saw a woman.” Second words: “Get her for me.” Third: “She’s right for me.” Samson thinks only of himself and of satisfying himself.

Samson is the real-life Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. He sings of himself, “Every guy here wants to be you! You’re everyone’s favorite guy! No one’s slick as Gaston, quick as Gaston!” Samson echoes, “Tell me I’m strong. Tell me I’m clever. Tell me I’m important. I need your attention. I need youraffirmation.”

But the more he pushes for attention, the more everyone backs away. His attention addiction drives away the very ones he wants to impress. His in-laws protest, “You used our daughter.” His countrymen complain, “You put us at risk—we’ll turn you over.” Even Delilah reacts: “You used me? I’ll use you.”

If your song is, “Look at me! Look at me!” What does that do? It makes me want to back away from you. It ultimately destroys the ones seeking it so desperately.

Recently, a man fell 1,000 feet in the Grand Canyon taking a selfie. He was the third in eight weeks. Across the country there are about 250 deaths by selfieeach year. The selfie culture—portraying perfection anddemanding envy to justify our significance—is killing us, not by falls into the Grand Canyon but by creating higher teen anxiety and depression than we have ever experienced.

Self-attention is the drug: “I need you to tell me I’m okay.” But it destroys us. It can also destroy what we hope to build like our families or our church. What happens when self-attention in the church causes some to say: “I built it, don’t change it.” “I’m paying for it, make it comfortable for me.” “Want me to attend?Change everything for me.” Me-attention drives us from each other, and also derails ministry from God’s purposes. Ultimately God’s purposes are only fulfilled when his is the attention we most desire, and his approval the only one that is truly needed.

Respond: Where are you seeking attention or approval outside of what God provides? Social media? Accomplishments? Appearance? Sexual conquest? Today, acknowledge your attention deficit disorder—and turn to the only One who can truly fill it as you live for his approval above all others.

Prayer: Lord, I’m an attention addict. I need people to notice me, affirm me, tell me I’m important. But only You can fill this need. Forgive me for seeking from others what only You can give. You see me. You know me. You love me. Help me to know that your approval is more than enough. In Jesus’ name, amen.