It's All About God. Which Makes it All About Me. Which Makes it All About Him.

Confused yet? If this world is all there is, then I had better make the best of it, for as they say, you only go round once. After defining personal success and fulfillment on my terms, I should structure my life in such a way so as to achieve my own goals and enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts. Sickness? Accidents? Reverses? PLEASE! Don’t bother me with such negative vibes – I am doing the best I can in this life.

That’s the way it should be if this life and my own plans and schemes are all that matter. But, if a Creator exists Who lays claim to my life – well, that changes everything! I can determine my own destiny only if I created myself (which is, when you think about it, why even suicide doesn’t work!). Well, OK, let’s make it a little easier on beloved self – I can direct all of my efforts toward personal gain and satisfaction only if I am accountable to no one but myself.

None of us live that way, ultimately, do we? Instinctively, all humans recognize that every person is accountable to someone. That is why cruel dictatorships (do you know any dictators that are not cruel?) seem to be so unnatural and such a perversion of justice and fairness. The human heart cries out for justice – as long as it is being meted out to someone else!

In Psalm 50, the Creator of the universe, the Triune God (well, we know now that He was three-in-one even when this psalm was written) calls the whole earth to give account to Him. In verse 21, He accused men and women of evil deeds that were caused by a terrible misjudgment – made possible because of His decision to not always judge sin immediately – that assumed God is like one of us. Men and women had created God in their own image rather than the reverse. Man had become – and continues to be so today with more technology and creativity at his disposal – a god in his own mind.

Those who follow Jesus recognize that they owe allegiance to God. We recognize that this life is not about us, but about Him Who created and redeemed us! We gladly give Him praise for the gift of salvation and for abundant life, no matter our circumstances. In seasons of pain, our heart still beats for Him. We lose ourselves in His grace, His love, and His will for our lives.

So, Christ-followers give up on personal passions, pursuits, and dreams, right? Well, yes and no! While we surrender our plans and priorities to Him, we discover, in time, that in addition to being all about His own glory (which is OK if you are perfect and holy and 100% righteous with no chance of ever being otherwise), God is all about us! Proof? The cross! Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”

“Hey, this is better than I thought! Now, it is not up to me to make sure all my dreams come true – but, it is up to God!” That is hardly the meaning of Romans 8:32. Did you miss the first part? He gave up His own Son for us! God’s grace and gifts do not imply a life of ease, but, rather, the wisdom for his perfect will to be accomplished and the strength to endure anything. But, think about it! God loves you so much that He focuses all of His love squarely on you. When we make this life all about us, we miss God’s full participation in our lives. When we make it all about Him, He, in turn, makes it all about us. His heart becomes our heart. His desires become our desires. Our insecurities and heartaches are swallowed up in His awesome love, mercy, and grace, and He surrounds and overwhelms us. Life has meaning and fulfillment that we did not know was possible.

When it is all about God, it becomes all about us – which makes it all about Him. Our gratitude for His work in our lives directs our hearts and praise to Him! OK, it should be that way, but it isn’t, always, is it? Sometimes when God does something good for/through us, we are greatly tempted to absorb all the good (praise, included) that comes from God’s gifts. Even as we rest in God’s blessings, the temptation is to make as much about Number 1 as possible, only now that God has intervened in our lives, we can shine in a big-time way! STOP! Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights Who does not change! (James 1:17) It’s all about Him!

God is moving in distinct and discernible ways at Grace Community Church, though we acknowledge the painful reality that many of us are suffering. It scares me, frankly, that our church seems so healthy. We are prime targets for Satan’s diabolical schemes and arrows of doubt and deception. As the ministry to which God has called us continues to grow and expand, let’s make it all about Him – and, not in a way that says, “My theology is better than your theology,” but, rather, in humble gratitude that He created us, redeemed us, and continuously pours out His grace on us, both individually and as the body of Christ. I love you, dear brothers and sisters!