Tuesday, August 28, 2007

It's Not About Me...

What a thought! You mean this life is not about me??? Sometimes, I get very frustrated on how much I invest in myself and my own personal growth and how much do I invest on others and bringing them to Jesus??? I believe Jesus wants us to do both....and keep it in balance!!! We live in such a world that can focus too much on ourselves and it can seriously get out of control!! Me, me, me, want, want, want. Aren't we just all downright spoiled?? Maybe a bit harsh, but we all have more than enough!

What about being in a beautiful church and having access to all this wonderful programming, but you know that there are precious people out there who don't know Jesus and they sure don't have a beautiful church to call home?!! They may be scared to come into that great big wonderful building.

What about spending so much time and money into your church facilities and making it the new state of the art, cool place for kids, and you realize that all you remember from your own youth and childhood was the relationship you had with a certain leader or teacher?!! Hmmmm.....

What about reaching the unchurched, those that don't even know Jesus Christ, and then realizing that every Sunday you see the same people in your congregation and noone "new" on the aisle or pew?!!

I guess I have spent alot of time wondering how does my personal growth with Jesus
effect others around me?? Am I making an eternal difference in the kingdom of God?
Am I wrapped up in my own journey or in the journey of others??? What is most important....our programs?? our buildings??? the latest, greatest, cool thing??
our service to the community??? are we changing the world???? What am I doing to contribute to the balance???? What am I doing that advances His Kingdom?? That's HUGE! Don't get me wrong now, I LOVE LOVE my church. This is just something God and I are working out together.

Well, I had an experience this past Summer with the kids at our church and we decided to go against the traditional VBS! We took the focus off ourselves and raised some money to help fight childhood cancer. We sold lemonade throughout our town and in 4 hours with 8 lemonade stands, we raised $5,000 that we took to St. Jude!!!!! TRULY AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!! We walked so closely with God those days and weeks of VBS that I didn't want it to end. Lives were changed....mine and many, many others. Was it because we weren't focusing on ourselves ALL the time??? It was one of the coolest experiences I've had in a long while.

Our journey here on earth is about us, but we MUST take our eyes off of ourselves and see where we are needed! Then, we must get out there and be the hands and feet of Christ and show Him to all that we can!

It's about me, you, and everyone. I want to share His "awesomeness" with anyone I can. Lord, give me the courage and the opportunities for the advancement of the Kingdom!! We love you and we want to serve desperately! Send me out to do your work! It's Not ALL About Me!!! And...Hallelujah it's not.

A quote I found ...."Others will not want to know about Jesus until they see the reality of your Jesus in your life!"

5 comments:

ocean mommy said...

Hi Fran,

Thanks for the comment on my blog. I'm glad you used that quote! I found it in a devotion and the original source is unknown.

This post made me think about the song, "Jesus, Lover of my Soul" you know the one where the chorus says, "It's all about you, Jesus."

Thanks for being "real".

Blessings,
stephanie

Angela Baylis said...

Hi!
That was such a great post!!!!
You are right, it's not about me!
It's not about me!
It's not about me!
...sorry, I got a little carried away! I cannot believe how easy it is to slip back into "ME"!
Sounds like you guys have done some great things to advance His kingdom!
Have a great night!
Angie xoxo

debra parker said...

Fran...

thanks so much for visiting my blog the other day and sharing some encouraging words. they were much needed and very appreciated.

this is an amazing blog world.

Charity said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am so enjoying this bloggy community of believers!! It is so encouraging to me!!

That is the sweetest story about your 6 year old! I so hope Landon is the same way when he is 6!!

Hope you have a great weekend as well!

Alana said...

Well, I feel a little like a broken record, but...thanks for stopping by my blog!

Really, I enjoyed reading some of your thoughts.

It sure is easy to lose perspective and focus only on ourselves.


I blog so you can get a glimpse into my life as wife, mom of 3 boys, and someone who simply wants to bless others along the way. Have fun and be sweet :)


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