RE-POST : IT AIN’T ABOUT ME!

I came across a scripture in this new book I am reading, Deuteronomy 30:19

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; For some reason the last part, “that both you and your descendants may live” just kept repeating in my mind. I guess I knew this, but I never really thought about it in a spiritual sense as much. It reminded me of a Blog post I had written earlier entitled “It Ain’t About Me!” I thought I would repost it (see below) to remind myself and you too that our choices both physically and spiritually not only affect us, but those to come after us. It never was nor will it ever be ALL about you or me. The life we live, the choices we make are creating a legacy for our children, our children’s children. What legacy are you leaving?

This morning a friend, a fellow teacher lightly tapped on my classroom door. There was nothing abnormal about her visit because she usually stops by on her way to her classroom in the mornings. She said “Good Morning” in her ever so slight tone of voice. I looked up to acknowledge her greeting and she spoke again  “I read your Blog last night. All of them.” She continued on saying,  “Thank you for writing.” She doesn’t know this, but those words did something to me.  I could feel the tears well up in my eyes, but I managed to get out a simple “Thank you”.  She left not really knowing the effects of her actions. Four simple words “Thank you for writing” ministered to me more than a thousand sermons could ever do. You see I have struggled with my decision to write this Blog every single day since I began. The enemy taunts me constantly “No one wants to hear what “you” have to say. What can “you” tell people? I hear it all each time I compose a new post. I confess that I give up daily because I feel my inadequacies disqualify me for God’s service.  But the reality of it all is that it is so NOT about me. My writing is about being obedient to God. I don’t have to worry about the rest because I know He will use this for His purposes. I just have to obey.

We live in a world where we have become so self-focused. The world points us in the direction of making sure we “get ours” and the rest doesn’t matter. Is that really what we are called to do, be all about our own life? I can remember having this discussion with another friend just last year. She grabbed a hold to this simple yet profound concept so much so that she had it permanently written on her arm as a daily reminder that the life we live is not our own. Our very ministry to others can be so simple, but if we never obey God, then who loses? We all do. Stop making excuses for why you shouldn’t do it, why you can’t do it, or why you aren’t doing it. Be obedient.

Repeat after me: “It Ain’t about me!!!”

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~ “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” Romans 15:1,2 (NIV)

~ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. I Peter 4:10 (NIV)