“It’s Not About You

“It’s not about you.” Those are the opening words to Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. And I once heard a great preacher begin his sermon in this way. “I don’t know much, but this much I know. There is a God, and I’m not Him.”

               The Bible teaches that God made human beings in His own image. Theologians have debated for centuries just what that means. But what I find interesting is that, in many ways, human beings have been attempting to recreate God in their own image.  In other words, we want God to conform to our wants and needs.

               Years back there was a bumper sticker that was quite popular for Christians. It read, “God is my Co-Pilot.” That’s cute, but there’s a problem with it. If God is your co-pilot you’re sitting in the wrong seat. Unless I am mistaken, the pilot is the boss over the co-pilot.  The co-pilot is supposed to obey the pilot. 

               Jesus once said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  As Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, said, “Partial obedience is disobedience.”  And he went on to explain that if we are not obeying God then we cannot truly claim to love Him.

               Even I find the words I’m writing here to be a bit harsh.  But they are true.  I need to remember that only God is God.  He is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and He created you and me for a purpose. He loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives. But one thing that God does not do is this. He does not say to us, “You do you. Just be what you want to be and it will be okay.”

               Rather Jesus said, “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” The road Jesus travelled was filled with trouble and trials.  It has rocks and winds and turns that are difficult to navigate. But it is also a road that He knows well, and while we may find it hard to navigate, He is able to get us where He is leading us.

               I am aware that following Jesus can be a challenge. But I want to go where He is going. I want to follow Him, because I know that He knows what is best for me.  Accept the challenge with me to follow Jesus. I’m not saying the journey will be easy. But I am saying that it will be worth it.