HE--Or me?

My kids were walking ‘round in circles through a revolving door entrance to the dentist’s office awhile back. While it was great fun for them, the Lord used it as a much-needed teachable moment for me.

Just that morning, I was begging my Savior for a way out of my burned out and empty state. I’m so tired, God. I just don’t feel like I have anything left to give. Everybody wants a piece of me, and I just want them all to go away. I’m all used up.

As I stood there watching my kids—in, around and out—in, around and out—I realized that my thoughts had been like that revolving door lately, and the starting and finishing spot was myself.

Ministry—at home, online and at church---had become about ME. Not on purpose. Not in a self-serving way. But me, just the same: About how I could get everything finished, about how I should respond to all the needs, about how I was going to get around to replying to each person who needed a personal touch.

It snuck up on me, one complaining and whining thought at a time. The very things that God had called me to do in order to serve Him and bring glory to Him had become about me being able to do them all perfectly.

ME! Not He...

I thanked Him that very moment for answering my prayer, and He said “You’re Welcome” by reminding me of His Word in 1st Thessalonians 5:24: “The One who calls you is faithful, and HE will do it” (NIV, emphasis mine).

What does this mean for us, friends? Freedom!  It’s not up to us to fill every void that we see around us: HE will do that as we serve the way He asks us to, saying “no” or “yes” in obedience to His voice. It’s not up to us to solve everyone else’s problems: HE will be their Need Supplier and Fixer-Upper as we point them in His direction, being a part of the solution ONLY when He leads us to do so.

HE... Not Me!

Oh, how good He is—to use something as simple as a revolving door to remind me that HE is the One my thoughts should circle around. My Lord is to be my starting point, my ending goal, and the reason for serving every step in-between. HE is the One who will love my family and others through me. HE is the One who will be faithful to lead my ministries. HE is the One who will give me the energy I need to do every single thing He’s called me to do. Thank goodness it’s not up to me.

HE-- Not me.

“He must become greater; I must become less.”

John 3:30, NIV

Selah~ Pause. Ponder. Praise.