My sincere thanks to my friend and sister in Christ, Julie Peapenburg, for sending this devotion to me. I just had to share it with you, my kind readers.
It’s Not About MeSharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“Let them praise the
name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the
earth and the heavens” Psalms 148:13
Friend to Friend
Some of my Girlfriends
in God are not going to like this devotion. I’m not even sure I do. But I’m
going to put it out there anyhow. During the month of February, I write
devotions on marriage. It is the month of love, and marriages certainly are in
shambles all around the world. Each February, I am flooded with e-mails: some
are appreciative for the reminders on how to love their husbands; some are
filled with hurt because they are in their own struggling marriage, and some
are broken-hearted because of shattered dreams. These women are so thankful for
the balm of God’s truth in a very tender area of their lives.
But I also receive
e-mails from women who are not married, who do not like the attention to
marriage at all. They are flat out angry and frustrated because the devotions
do not pertain to them. “Don’t you know that all of your readers are not
married?”
“Oh honey child,” as my
grandmother would say.
I’ve seen the same
attitude in church. “I didn’t like that sermon.” “I didn’t like the singing today.”
“I couldn’t relate to that teaching.” And on and on we go.
You know what I’ve
discovered...it’s not about me. It is all about God. If the pastor is preaching
on a topic that is not my struggle, I pray that God will open my eyes to new
truths that I’ve never seen. If he is talking about losing a loved one, I pray
for those who have lost a loved one recently...even though that might not be my
struggle at that particular time. Is the teaching on raising young children? I
have a grown son, so I pray for those who are raising the next generation.
One Sunday, I was
singing in church. Barely singing, I might add. It was a dry old hymn and I
just wasn’t into it. Then I looked at an older woman a few seats down and she
had tears trickling down her wrinkled cheeks. She was moved to tears by that
old hymn and was taken to the throne room of grace.
“Oh Father,” I prayed.
“Please forgive me. This is not about me. It’s not about what I like or don’t
like. It is all about You. Truth is truth. Worship is worship. Help my focus be
on You and You alone. It’s not about me.
Here’s a truth I want
you to underline, memorize and ponderize (I know that is not a real word, but
it should be.) Say it out loud: As long as I think the world is all
about me, the angrier and tired-er I will be. The more I realize it is
all about God, the happier and freer I will be. (I know tireder is not a
word either. I’m just feeling feisty today).
Listen to how David
focused on God during worship:
Find rest, O my soul, in
God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and
my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my
honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all
times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
So let’s commit to
remember together...it’s not about me. It’s all about God.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, please
forgive me when I make everything all about me. It’s all about You! I praise
You! I thank You! I worship You!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
