LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT RIGHT OUT OF THE STARTING BLOCKS
ITS. ALL. ABOUT. ME!
Okay…so that is a little extreme. Then again…maybe it’s not. How many people do you know, including Christ-followers, who live their life believing it is all about ME? Be honest now. Haven’t you ever felt that way before? I have. Before you read any more, please take a moment and look at a video. {BEFORE you do: a disclaimer. I went looking for a song about ME. I have never heard this song or of this “singer” before. Keep in mind that my daughters are both in their 30s and I have a grandson. I decided to use it because of the lyrics}. Now…here is the video.
Sadly, many of us either know people like that, or struggle ourselves. One of the things we will often hear when talking about worship is “worship is an Audience of One.” That sounds really nice (and it is). The definition is correct in that our worship should only be directed toward ONE.
AND we can say we do that…but do we really? Can I honestly say yesterday when I was in the corporate worship with others that my focus was on God and God alone? I never once wondered what anyone else thought? I never once wondered if someone thought I was weird raising my hands in praise to the King of kings? I never once thought someone was off-key? You get the picture.
Just as worship is not about us, neither is salvation. There was something much bigger happening in the life of Jonah than just Jonah’s “salvation.” God didn’t save Jonah from the ocean and put him in the belly of the fish for just Jonah. He had plans for Jonah that were far bigger than he knew. “Go to Ninevah. I am going to destroy that city unless they repent.” Jonah wasn’t saved just for himself; he was saved for Ninevah also. He had a message to carry to the heathens in that great city.
Salvation is not about me. Not really. It starts with me coming to know Jesus as my Savior. But I was never saved for just me. There are more fish to catch. 🙂 With that in mind, how selfish it is of me to keep the message to myself! It is not about ME. Never was. It was and is always about HIM and His love for all men. What do you think? Do you struggle with this? I would love to hear your thoughts.
That I believe is a constant wrestle with many and I believe that in part is because I know it is a constant wrestle with me. Part of the issue is we live in a society, even the Christian society, that tells us it is all about us. We are told it is about God but also about us and we do not need to say anything or do anything if it makes us uncomfortable.
Good thoughts.
You get it Jim. The struggle is always there. Thanks.
The season of life I’m in right now is one where I’m realizing just how much control I like to have. And if I have a white knuckle grip on my stuff then, in essence, I’m telling God that I’ve got this and I don’t want His help. It’s all about me. And letting go of this way of thinking and doing life is so stinkin’ hard!
it is hard to step out of the front seat and take a passenger’s view. That death grip is tough. Thanks for the thought Craig.
I totally know what you’re saying. I play bass for our contemporary worship service – and while it’s a privilege to lead people in worship, a lot of the times I end thinking about myself. Wanting to play well to pump up my ego. Embarrassed if I play a wrong note because people may think bad of me.
I think the selfishness of our sinful hearts is so pervasive. Even sermons talk about sin and talk about our personal victory and the nastiness of sins consequences in our personal lives – instead of focusing on offenses to a holy god.
Not only is that what I am talking about (bass playing) but your last thought really triggered some introspection. I love it! What a great way to look at it. Thanks Loren.
For whom have we been saved? It seems that those who have “near death” experiences seem to get that they were saved “for a reason”. Amen Bill thank you for the wake up call. We were not saved and given this new life to consume it but to give it freely for the glory of our God! Thank you…may we look around today!
Exactly what I was hoping to hear Tom. Thanks.
We have the mentality of ME, don’t we? We want to be fed at church, right? Maybe if we’re eating right at home we wouldn’t have to be. It is about HIM.
You bring up a good point larry. “I am not being fed so I am going somewhere else.” Yeah, that’s about HIM for sure.
I think if we’re completely honest we’re all guilty of this. The sin of Adam and Eve in my opinion was all about selfishness. If we had to use one word to describe the problem with our world, it to would be selfishness.
Selfishness or instinct is of the flesh. I think only God in us can save us and allow us to live above the flesh or self.
I thought of that song from the 70’s by Mac Davis; Oh Lord It’s Hard To Be Humble.
It is selfishness Floyd. And that song? Are you THAT old? 🙂
I am that old… I just don’t act my age!
Hi Bill,
When we become saved by Christ we begin a process of giving up our old life (as we know it) for a new life. In this way we save our lives from certain destruction.
We know that God is for us. Jesus states in the books of the Gospel that we are meant to be one with him and the Father. God has great plans for us ahead. These plans for us depend on our willingness to go His ways. The ways of men are stupid if you want to put it that way. God says they are foolishness. The ways of men make sense to sinful, selfish people.
For sure our worship is or should be directed to (and for) our God. Christianity is not about us in that way. ‘Worship the Lord your God and him alone’ is the commandment. However, I believe Christianity is about us in the sense of God desiring us as his own. He gave his only son to death, for us. But not so that we can continue in selfishness and sin, but so that we can know a new eternal life apart from our sin. We need to struggle and fight against our sin. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to assist us in this fight. We need to fight against selfishness. We will not find ourselves with God at the end of the day if we are selfish, sinning believers. God is holy.
We need to have a healthy fear of God. We are taught in our day that we have nothing to fear from God. Jonah found out otherwise. The story of Jonah is clear. That huge storm and that big fish was provided by God. Paul says if I preach the gospel willingly, I have a reward. If I don’t, I will still preach the gospel with a certain fearful looking forward to judgment.
We have a God. We don’t have a philosophy, a system of belief, a society organization, or a spirtual guru that we can maneuver and change the rules so to speak when it pleases us.
When we are walking properly with God we will wittness, we will speak the message. What seems to be the case is that many believers are not wittnessing. This likely means they are not walking with God as they should be. Wittness and testimony is a natural occurance if a believer is growing in their faith. This is another ‘sign’ that all is not well with the church in our day. Corrections need to be made.
It is true that many don’t witness as we should. Our testimony should come from a life that is in tune with God. Thanks Linda.
Salvation is not about Me. God’s word is about the Kingdom. It’s all about Him, for His purpose, for His Kingdom, for His will. Thankfully we fall into that. However, if I’m foolish to think that I play a “big role” in this, or if it’s about me, I’m just… well… foolish.
Yes, God cares about us as individuals, but His plans are much, much bigger than just me. When I think the world revolves around me, I take a look at my Bible and notice that my name is not written anywhere there. 🙂
Your last line speaks gold Moe. We are not who the Book is about. Thanks for a good thought.
Absolutely, Bill! Salvation is about us being able to connect with others and share the awesome relationship that is knowing God on a personal level. I like the way you think.
Since we agree…I like the way you think also. 🙂 Thanks for coming by.
I think America has become a “Me” society. Also I think everyone struggles with this issue on some level or anther. The key is to daily remind our self that it’s not all about “Me” but others and God.
I agree Dan. Thanks for coming by. How is Logan doing?
Your welcome. Thank you for writing a challenging post. Logan should be coming home next week, he is doing very good.
Glad to hear it. 🙂
“It’s all about me.” What does It’s mean? My boss doesn’t care if Jesus gets my work done. He is counting on me.My creditors aren’t looking for Jesus to write a check. They are looking for me to do that. My children aren’t looking for Jesus to father them. They are looking for me to do that.
A lot of things are about me.
Me is very important to me and to others. I don’t think denigrating the impotance of Me is a way to sell Jesus.
I am discounting the “me” involved in every day living jeff. I am referring to those who call themselves Christ-followers and are constantly thinking only of themselves and not of others. In worship, wondering what others see or think (see Loren’s comment above). Concerning salvation: keeping it to themselves. i do agree with you in that one of the best ways I can show my faith is by a good, solid work ethic or even being a good father.
Yes, I’ve struggled with focusing on my Audience of One. But I am so happy that we serve a God who loves us enough to be conscious of our weaknesses and lead us to focus on Him once again.
not much to add to that one jaycee. Good to have you come by. 🙂