One thing about God that never ceases to amaze me is the choices he makes. God chooses whom he chooses, and often that’s not the strongest, the best looking, the smartest, the most capable, the most gifted, or even the most righteous. [Tweet this]
In fact, what this reminds us is that it’s not about me or you at all. It’s all about God! Remember, in the beginning God.
Yet sometimes it’s as if God has to shake me to remind me of this foundational truth.
A while back, I was having a particularly rough day. At the end of a long, grumpy afternoon, I laced up my tennis shoes and headed out the door for a run. I needed to vent, and God was the best option. I spent most of the two-mile trail around my home expressing an entire grocery list of complaints.
The Bible says we’re supposed to offer up our concerns to God, so I thought I’d super-size my offering. I poured out my heart in what became a thirty-minute gripe fest. As I rounded the final turn toward the driveway, I ended my tirade with a groan that resembled more of a “So there!” than an “Amen.”
As I watched the pebbles on the road to ensure I didn’t slip, I remember one thought flooded my mind, It’s not about you.
The thought was so loud and clear I knew it was God. And to be honest, they weren’t words I wanted to hear. God was reminding me that all my concerns and complaints, all my grumpiness was centered on one person: me.
Over the next few days, It’s not about you, rolled through my mind and spirit. I felt conviction, the invitation of God’s Spirit to change my attitude and behavior. I repented for becoming so self-focused. I began praying, God help me see things as you see them. Help me to love others as you love them.
Though that day is long gone, the words God whispered in my heart often revisit me. It’s not about you.
That truth is so simple, so foundational, yet so easy to forget. But whenever we slip into the mindset or attitude that it’s all about us, we become part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
Nowhere is this more true than in the story of Jacob. Throughout much of his journey, it was all about Jacob and whenever he believed this and acted on it, he created all kinds of problems.
What difficulties are you facing in your life? What conflicts do you find in your workplace, your family, or among your friends? Could it be that God is using these, like he did with Jacob, as a gentle reminder that it’s not about you and cause you to grow and experience the transforming power of God in your life?
This week we dove into Genesis 28-36.
FOR DISCUSSION: Answer the following questions as a comment to this blog post. Feel free to ask questions, reply to others’ comments, and post prayer requests.
- What disciplines or spiritual practices have you developed to help you think about others first?
Link up your blog post on what God is revealing to you in His Word.
Join us on Monday as we begin Session 6: Finding God among Prisons and Palaces (Genesis 37-50). Click here to subscribe to the RSS feed and receive each day’s post in your inbox each morning.
Don’t miss out on the Midday Connection Podcast interview as we chat through Session Five at 12PM Central today. Click here, to subscribe to their podcast each week.
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Goodness – I was doing the same thing this week only my laundry list included tears and crabbiness. Thanks for the reminder…it’s not about me.
Hug to you, Eileen! We all need this wake-up call sometimes.
If I were to ever write my manifesto, it’d be titled “It’s Not About You.” I actually pondered that on my walk yesterday. What I’ve experienced is that any time I’m in a sulky, whiny mood — the thing that turns me around is to SERVE. My problems get into their right perspective when I shift my attention to helping someone else.
Good thoughts, Margaret. Continuing to lift you up.
Susan in VA
Sounds like a sacred echo, Susan. Thanks for your added insights!
That’s an interesting idea. It sort of goes with what I’ve learned in other areas of my life. When we first started tithing, our finances took horrible hit after hit and we watched our savings dwindle down to almost nothing. When ever I started worrying about it, god would prompt me to give more away. Crazy! But it worked. The last few years I’ve really struggled with not having enough time to do the things that need to be done. (Or rather the things I thought needed to be done.) I kept hearing God telling to do less. To which I responded,”Show me.” Over and over. Then last spring everything really came to the point where I was having panic attacks. This was at the same time that Margaret challenged us to read the Bible for Lent. That became my refuge. I learned that when I’m worried about time, I need to spend more of it with God.
More of Him, less of me. Continue to echo that with you, Elisa. Hug, sweet friend.
Preach it, girl. I so appreciate you.
(Prayed for you this morning. Went back to Sacred Echo to re-read some of your own words to pray over you, and on the last pages, in a chapter entitled “you are not alone” the name “God” was highlighted in green over and over and over again. Years ago, one of my littles must have gotten a hold of the green highlighter in Bible, and then marked up the pages in your book! So I prayed that God would highlight Himself all over your life today. But hopefully, he doesn’t look green. 🙂 )
Oh sweet Jennifer. Yes! I want more and more of that green God all over the place. 🙂
Thanks, Margaret. I was just praying and lamenting over our recent move. Praying He would lead us to the right church, friends, purpose. It’s those times that I feel lost, lonely and stuck in this new place (which is most of the time) that I need to be reminded that maybe I am the means and not the end.
Praying for you, my friend. Take care.
Praying peace, grace, and JOY above all else today, Amanda. Lean in to Him.
Thank you, Margaret~~I soooo need this today. My husband and I pastored in SE Alaska for 14 years and are VERY anxious to return, both to a pastorate as well as to Alaska. We have been gone for a little over 9 years. During that time, God has taken us into some deep valleys including an 8 year job in Iraq for my husband, 3 bouts of cancer for me, a son who came out of the closet and our youngest son who is serving a 13 year prison sentence. I find myself –at times– so very thankful for His hand of protection and His care. I really don’t want to do even one of these situations again, but am grateful for all the treasures He has shown us in the darkness.Then, there are mornings like today….when I can’t stop crying and asking, “HOW LONG, Lord, do I have to do this?” And I heard Him say, “It’s not about you”….and once again, I am humbled and repenting, asking for direction and to be led to another who needs encouragement. Thank you for always sharing God’s heart and yours! You are always in my prayers~~~keep dancing in His grace…even when you can’t hear the music
Kimber- I nearly fell over when I saw your comment about Alaska! You see, I’ve been hearing SO much about ministry in Alaska lately, and keep feeling a pull to get involved somehow (even if “just” prayerfully). So when I saw you saying you ministered there, I was like “Wow! There is just another wonderstruck moment from God!” I know the reoccurring theme is not a coincidence!!!! Anyways, I’m SOOOO interested about what ministry is like there, and most of all the need and spiritual condition of people there. If you would graciously share, I’d be so appreciative!
And Margaret- I hope you don’t mind us having this conversation on your blog!! AMAZING post, by the way! The message you shared has been one that I think God’s been trying to get through to me! Thank you!! 🙂 God IS good!!
Praying for you both!
Hi Chelsea!
Sounds like a sacred echo. 🙂 We love Alaska! Awesome that God’s nudging you in that direction.
Praying God’s mercy, grace, and peace floods you today, Kimber! That through the darkness He shines brighter than the sun. Hug to you.
I love this Margaret, I’m sharing it in my weekend links. Your thoughts are (in your words) a sacred echo for me. Praying for you and think about you daily.
Thanks for sharing, sweet Shelly. Hug to you today!
We pour out our grocery list of complaints to God, and somehow, that never brings the gratification that God has heard. Yet, it is when I Do release it all and praise Him, then, then and only then, so I feel that I my heart has reached the ear of God.
This is beautiful Margaret! Thank you for sharing.
So true, Diane. May we all relinquish control and let our every breath be a praise back to him!
Yes, how I forget this…even though the Lord spoke it to me directly about 11 years ago.
Thank you for the reminder Margaret! xoxo
You aren’t alone, Tara. I need this reminder often.