It's not about Me(us). That's how this study starts. A great big wake up call. We are here because God wills us to be. We had no choice in being, and no way of knowing WHY we were made. But the text helps point us in the right direction.
You were made by God and for God - and until you understand that, life will never make sense.
I underlined that. It's a hard concept to grasp in this day and age. The world wants us to believe that it's all about us. It needs us to believe that! But the truth is that it's not. Maybe that is why so many of us struggle with depression, anxiety and stress. We're focused on ourselves and being self centered is not what God wants for us. God wants us to be God Centered.
God is not just the starting point of your life, he is the source of it.
I underlined that as well. God does not exist for us, we didn't create him, he created us.
Our Verse to Remember comes from the Book of Colossians.
"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Col 1:16 NIV)
The question for Day 1 is this:
In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life really is about living for God,not myself?
My answer is that I spend time listening to Christian music in the car on my way to work. I try and spend time reading the Bible, or other Christian literature. I work a night shift schedule so I'm not subjected to a lot of advertising on TV. Most of what I watch is on the DVR and I skip commercials.
Still this is something that I struggle with. But I have hope because I am aware that the Enemy of God is out there, trying to pull my attention. He doesn't even need me to focus on him as long as he can keep me from looking at God. Technology is making the enemy's job easier and easier. I need to start spending more time with God and the Family and less time with the PS3 and Facebook.
Something else to consider: What are the implications of the opening statement "It's not about you."? How does that mesh with the way you have been living?
My problem is that I live for everyone else and not myself or God. It makes for a very unappreciative and lonely life, because in turn I feel like I should be getting that kind of treatment back. "Do unto others as you would want done unto you". Somehow I have turned that way of thinking into a selfish thing. Instead of thinking that I am doing these kind things because it is God's will, I am doing these acts of kindness to get treated with kindness and appreciation in return. I should not live to please everyone else, it should be to live to please God...then everything else will fall into place. I think if I were to change my focus off of myself then my life will be more fulfilling. I think for me, praying more and keeping a close relationship with God will help me achieve this.
ReplyDeleteJoleen, that's an interesting view point. I can totally relate and I bet that I'm not alone. I have at times turned what should have been a selfless act of kindness into a selfish act for attention. The Bible teaches us not to be like the Pharisees who would make grand public gestures of their good deeds. People who do good deeds for the sake of being rewarded on Earth (read having good deeds done for them), will not be rewarded in Heaven.
ReplyDeleteI too focus my attention (when it's not on myself) on Teresa and the kids. I was telling someone that this morning. I think spending time in the Bible could help both of us. If you don't have one, pick up a copy of "Our Daily Bread" Small portions of Scripture will help. Also, tune your radio to "The Promise" for you morning and afternoon drive. Christian music is such a pleasant change from "the world" music. And it's a good way remind ourselves that life is about living for Him and not us.
Joleen..It's good to see you here. It's me, Teresa. Can I comment on something you said? I had this discussion with someone last week. And this has been really sinking in with me too. We do things out of love for other people to be obedient to God. Loving others is His command. Their love back isn't what we should desire. It's God's love and blessings that is our reward. We can't change anyone else by ourselves. We can just pray for them and hand it over to God. It seems like praying for someone is a slow process when we want immediate resulst. But His love is amazing and his blessings are abundant...and that's what fills my heart. I'm mentioning this to you not as if I'm trying to teach you something...this is what I'm trying to teach myself and I thought I'd share it with you. <3
ReplyDeleteAbove all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.—1 Peter 4:8
Thank you both for our comments. I guess the trick is just to keep staying positive and pray.
ReplyDeleteWhy am I here.. I was at a yard sale the day b-4 or the day John posted - I picked up the book I almost bought it, and thought ah I have so many books I wont read/finish it. Almost bought a Joyce Myers too, on summer hours I dont get my little morning Joyce fix- but ended up with childerns books - and thats the other reason I'm here..what direction am I leading my son, what does he see in the choices I make..I happy with my purpose - but am I reflecting that.. can I help him to see there's more - and too rich, too thin are it. Stuff means nothing.. your childern and grandchildern will know its junk.. how much time is spent taking care of junk, buying stuff - junk
ReplyDeleteIn the Getting the Most from this Book it says to read one chapter a day and reflect...I understand that this a significant part of this spiritual journey but I really want to catch up and I will make an effort to reflect on these first five days while I get up to speed.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I got to It All Starts with God (Day 1) and I read the first line:
"Its not about you."
I knew I was going to love this book!
Quite frankly, that's exactly what I needed to hear. Not because its always about me but because I know I can't do this on my own. No matter how hard I try or how much I do, it is humanly impossible to work miricales. I used to think the saying "let go and let God" was a admitting weakness but knowing you have God with you, standing beside you, makes you stronger than you could ever be standing alone.
I've already wasted WAY to many of the 25,550 days an average person lives being hard headed, thinking I can do everything by myself. I know now, I can't do it all and I need the strength I get when I admit my weakness.
I have a lot of responsibilities and that is what will make me remember I need the best weapons and armor to protect them.
So, here I am deciding that this book is what I need right here, right now. I had just finished reading The Shack and felt that it was time for something with some "meat" to it.
ReplyDeleteI jotted down a few notes as I was reading that really caught my attention. The first one is:
"You were born BY his purpose and FOR his purpose."
This is something that I don't think about throughout my daily routine. I think about the dishes and the laundry and whatever else is on the chore list for the day. I carve out a small window of time to read my devotional and say a quick prayer before I start my day, but what does that really say.
I also thought about the age old question:
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Really? We never know the answer to this and yet God does. We sit there and contemplate the many things that we wish to accomplish before that time is up, when really it is all already laid out for us.
"You don't get to choose your purpose."
I like that He does give us things that we can choose, but in the overall picture He has it all worked out.
When it comes to the question of living for God that is something that I struggle with daily. I tune my stations to uplifting music and try to limit TV time, but there are those days when I just want to veg out and watch something pointless or grab something at the store that I saw some ad for that week.
God knows that we are not perfect and he expects for us to falter at times. On those days when I put God on the back burner I end up feeling unfulfilled and just plain yuck. So that means that the next day I refocus and get back on track just knowing that if I take it day by day then it will all work out.