A Pastors Perspective,Who Is It About ?
Southaven,Ms
By: Mike Upchurch
Who Is It About ?
I’m beginning to sound like “Johnny One Note” in my writings, capable of singing only one note, or writing about one specific point over and again, but this week I must revert to a theme that just won’t go away.
It’s not about us.
“If it’s not about us, then who is it about”, you may innocently ask?
Jesus
It never changes for me. He is at the Center of the Universe and must be at the center of all things in my life. All things are under His authority (Matt 28:18), so who am I to take that authority away from Him and assign it to myself? I am not God. I can’t even breathe without Him! Why would I try to direct things out of my control?
“But Pastor Mike”, you might say, “I have real problems and real issues and I must stay focused on them.” I am sure you do have problems and I don’t doubt that. I have problems as well. But if I make it about my problems, I’m not making it about Jesus.
Let me delve a little deeper into what making it about Jesus really means. It means walking side by side with Him. Continually. The easiest way to do that is by being in constant conversation with Him about everything and by being in constant worship of Him. That part is key; it’s worshipping Him for who He is, not what He can do for you or your problem. When you’re walking in worship, true worship, the problems can become secondary.
See, when you’re in constant worship of Him and in constant conversation with Him, you don’t have to stop and pray, you’re already praying, and you just naturally will bring it to Him. Sometimes I’ll be on the phone with a friend and while we’re talking something might happen. They might have someone in traffic do something stupid, or they might open a strange piece of mail, and because we’re already in conversation, they will bring it to my attention. I’m not able to do anything about their situation, they’re just sharing it with me because I’m there with them, at least in conversation anyway. So if you’re already talking with Jesus, when something happens, you will naturally share it with Him. The good thing about Jesus is that He CAN do something about all issues in your life.
Another point to make, and this one is crucial, is when you do make it about Him, you’re also giving Him permission to do what He needs to do to correct problems.
But be forewarned, He might give you instruction that would require change. And we don’t always like change do we? We are creatures of habit. And we have a sinful nature always trying to rear it’s ugly head. Fear of change may be the very reason we don’t come to Him with everything. We might be in fear that He will ask us to give up something we enjoy. He might ask us to change something so that we’re living a holier lifestyle. Maybe we would be asked to break off a relationship He doesn’t approve of, so out of that fear we shy away from even talking to Him. That’s not making it about Him. That’s making it about us. To reiterate, it’s not about us!
If we’re going to succeed in our lives, if we’re going to be granted Eternal Life, if we’re going to have rewards, then we will need to make it about Him and come to Him, ready to make any changes He would require of us. We must have repentant hearts. We must confess our sins. We must change, if we’re ever to see God flowing in our lives in positive ways. It’s about Him. We must make it about Him. That means walking daily with Him in constant conversation. There are no shortcuts. We are dead after all. Time to insert one of my absolute favorite scriptures here…
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
Are you willing to do that? To live your life through Christ, instead of just letting Him be a friend out on the edge of your life? He’s more than a friend, He is your Savior! And He is able to do things no one else can do for you!
Did I say this yet? It’s about Him! That means He is front and center. He’s consulted about every decision we need to make. He’s directing us. He’s ordering our steps. He’s in control!! After all, it’s about Him!
And that’s the way I see it.
Pastor Mike
