It's all about me....?

I wonder how we got to a place where we think it is all about us. Even we Christians think that, though we don't exactly know or acknowledge that we do. We think God forgives us because he loves us. We think that He sent Jesus because He loves us. It's not about us.

Isaiah 43:25 (NLT) records that God says: “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again."

God did not forgive us for us. God did not send Jesus for us. God did not create all of this for us. Not even the best of us. God created us, forgives us, sent Jesus for HIS SAKE.

1 Samuel 12:22: "For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own."
2 Samuel 7:20-22: "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears."

2 Kings 19:34 "I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant."

by Deanna Etienne. Used by permission.

Do you see the buzzards in the tree branches? YUCK! Did God create buzzards for us? One can argue yes; they keep the earth cleaner but removing dead things. But did God do that for us, or did God create buzzards so we'd appreciate the thoughtfulness and depth of God's creation?

God sometimes does things for our sake, but ultimately it is for HIS sake, for HIS purposes, for HIS reasons. Many times God's actions benefit us, like with the buzzards. When God answers prayers, they may be answered because He loves us but it is also because it meets HIS purposes. It is for Him ultimately. That is really hard to get. Our pride wants it to be about us somehow, even if only a little. I just don't believe it though. I truly believe that God does everything for God. He wants our praise so He works on us so we are adequate to praise Him, acceptable to be near Him in heaven, so we've learned enough to be acceptable. I don't believe that He did anything just for me though. He did it for Himself and that is ok. After all, He is God. What else can be worthy of anything good? There is nothing else in all of creation that is more deserving, greater, bigger, more loving, more Godly. God deserves everything wonderful that we can muster and so much more. So that our gifts are acceptable, God works on us until our gifts are acceptable.

Yes, God loves us, or He wouldn't care if our gifts are acceptable, or if we praised and worshiped Him. But He does love us and care for us.....for His purposes. So answered prayers are those that somehow fill God's purposes. Those good things in life and those awful things in life somehow work to fill God's purposes. I think it is astounding that God lets us be part of it. He doesn't NEED us. He is God. If needed us, He wouldn't be who He is. I guess the point is this: next time a prayer isn't answered (at all or not the way your want) ask yourself why. How was God's granting that prayer request going to bring glory to God? The next time something good or bad happens, consult God about how His purposes are met with the good or bad thing that happened. It will give you a better understanding and appreciation for God.

The other day my husband heard me muttering and asked who I was talking to. I said God, then went on to explain that I'd lost my sunglasses, had asked God to help me find them, found them in a utensil drawer! then told God, "thanks, I never would have looked there." I don't know exactly how that brings glory to God but it did make me send up a "thank you". Maybe He wants to be appreciated too.

God, Thank You for all the things You do that benefit me and my family and friends, whether those things are "good" or "bad" because I know that the end result is for Your purposes and glory. Thank You that I am part of those purposes. Hopefully I can bring You glory too. Point me back to You every time I think it is about me. Amen.

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