“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
Back in the day, while living in Haiti, a book written by Rick Warren called ‘Purpose Driven Life’ gained much attention and with a few of my brothers and sisters in Christ in the U.S., we went through it in person on occasion and usually on line. The main point of the book was to encourage the reader to understand that this life we have, is not about me, but is ALL about God.
Every time we forget that it’s not about me, we get prideful, fearful about what is challenging our status and often get angry. Those feelings always lead us to being discouraged and just keep us focused on ourselves as we try to manage those challenges on our own.
It’s NOT about you! God created you to share a message and it’s not about you…it’s about Jesus Christ. I read that book in 2002 and for the past 18 years that statement “It’s not about me” flashes in my mind several times each day, and I share it with others who are filled to overflowing with ‘their’ accomplishments. In the verse today, Paul reminds us that we are here for Jesus’ sake and not our own. The Holy Spirit moves us to serve others because of what Jesus has done for us.
Our Heavenly Father cares about the motivations of your heart, and there is much rejoicing when you are doing things that bring the saving message of the Gospel to lost souls and glorifies Jesus. I am going to close today with the words from the hymn ‘Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise’ that were written by Herbert F. Brokering who was born in Beatrice, NE in 1926 and died on my birthday in 2009.
“Thine the amen Thine the praise, Alleluias angels raise, Thine the everlasting head, Thine the breaking of the bread, Thine the glory Thine the story, Thine the harvest then the cup. Thine the vineyard then the cup is lifted up, lifted up. Thine the life eternally, Thine the promise let there be. Thine the vision, Thine the tree, all the earth on bended knee. Gone the nailing gone the railing, gone the pleading gone the cry. Gone the sighing gone the dying what was loss lifted high. Thine the truly Thine the yes, Thine the table we the guest. Thine the mercy all from Thee, Thine the glory yet to be, then the ringing and the singing, then the end of all the war. Thine the living, Thine the loving evermore ever more. Thine the kingdom, Thine the prize, Thine the wonder full surprise. Thine the banquet then the praise, then the justice of Thy ways. Thine the glory, Thine the story, then the welcome to the least. Then the wonder all increasing at Thy feast at Thy feast. Thine the glory in the night No more dying only light. Thine the river Thine the tree, then the Lamb eternally. Then the holy, holy, holy celebration jubilee. Thine the splendor, Thine the brightness only Thee, only Thee.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay