It's Not About YOU!

That's the first line of Pastor Rick Warren's hit book The Purpose Driven Life. Warren states it very directly and quickly. It is something that we all must understand. This life that we have (for Christians) and have in Christ is NOT ABOUT US! Warren wasn't the first to come up with this idea or notion. The fact is that it is straight out of Scriputure. As I've been studying through Colossians (my favorite book) Paul in his doctrinal passage of Christ clearly comes to this point in verse 16.

"For by Him all things were created, in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through Him and for Him." Did you get that? I even italicized and bolded it for you. It's all for Him, Jesus Christ. He created all things, He owns all things, He is preeminent over all things...it's ALL about HIM!

So my job isn't about me? NO! So my singleness/marriage isn't about me? NO! So my leisure and things I find pleasure in isn't about me? NO! Well then, what is about me you might now ask. NOTHING!

You may ask, "Well, what about Jesus dying on the cross, wasn't that about me?" Nice try, but even though it was to redeem us and for us it was still not about us. It was about glorifying the Son, it was about demonstrating the LOVE of Jesus Christ, it was about God; His justice, His name, His glory, His love, His compassion, His patience, His grace, His mercy, His glory, His renown, it's ALL about Him. Until we can begin to grow in this understanding and apply it to every aspect of our lives we will only live in the moments of pleasing Him. When this understanding has become the bedrock of our decisions and belief then we can begin living lives full of His pleasure. We begin to think in Kingdom terms. We begin to think beyond the temporal to the eternal. We live differently than the world because we live for a different reason. We live in full abundance of life for Him, because it is ALL about Him...even our life.

Lord, help me to ground my heart in this truth. May my life, decisions, actions, and reactions be seen by others as a life that is ALL about YOU.

"Is Prayer To You a Task?"

Is prayer to a task, a duty?
Ah, no, it is a thing of beauty,
And a wonder and a glory
Past our comprehension, for He

Gave to feeble, stumbling man a
Giant's arm that, stretched, can span a
Universe and reach to Heaven,
Change a life, a world, and even

Haste the day of His appearing,
Day of rapture, ever nearing!
O blessed hour of power and beauty!
Is prayer to you a task, a duty?

Martha Snell Nicholson

Wings and Sky: "My Times Are in Thy Hands"

This is mostly a reminder for me, but I hope it is your prayer as well.

My Times Are in Thy Hands

Teach me, in whatever state
I am, to be content.
Could I presume to stipulate
How this poor life to be spent?

My Lord, my years are Thine, to use
As seemeth best to Thee.
I know whatever Thou dost choose
Will be the best for me.

Martha Snell Nicholson