The Misconception About Our Lives
I know many of you, like myself, have heard sayings such as, “it’s your life, do as you see fit.”, “there’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first”, “YOLO!”, or “it’s all about you”. These sayings have caused many of us to miss the mark, in other words, so many people have not answered the calling Father has placed on their lives due to the misconception that their life is about them. Would you believe me if I told you that your life is not about you? The answer is no, and that is why we are going to take a look at a few scriptures that proves our life is beyond us.
Let's take a look at Isaiah 43:1-7 (NIV)
1 But now this is what the LORD says–he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughter from the ends of the earth– 7 everyone who is called by name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
We were not created to live our lives how we see fit, but according to Isaiah 43:7, we were created for the LORD’s glory. We were created to worship and honor HIM in everything we do (see Proverbs 3:6). By doing so, when others see us, they will see the living God, His mercy, grace, and love (see Matthew 5:16 and 1 Corinthians 10:31).
Now I want you all to take time and reflect on the different people the LORD has sent, so that you may know HIM. Those people could have easily ignored the calling the LORD has placed on their lives, and you would have missed your blessing.
The prophet Jonah tried to ignore the call the LORD laid upon him when HE told Jonah to speak to the people of Nineveh. See Jonah 1:1-3.
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying for the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
When Jonah was commanded by the LORD to go down to Nineveh and preach to the people about their wickedness. Jonah decided to ignore the LORD’s call, and by society’s saying, he decided to do him by fleeing to Tarshish. Jonah -at the time - was not thinking about the people of Nineveh, instead, he was thinking about himself. Fortunately, as you continue to read the book of Jonah, Jonah decides to do the LORD’s will. By doing so, the people of Nineveh were able to repent for their sins (see Jonah 3:3-10). Are you aware of the impact you will or have made on people by answering the call the LORD has placed on you? When Jonah became obedient to God’s command, the people of Nineveh were made aware of their sins, and they were able to repent. If we continue to believe the lie that our lives are about us, imagine the many people who will lose out on their salvation. None of us could fathom the number of souls that will miss out.
Brothers and sisters, I dare you to die to yourselves daily (see Galatians 5:24-25 and Galatians 2:20-21). The LORD must become greater and greater, and we must become less and less (see John 3:30). If you can’t die to yourself, you are being ruled by the spirit of pride. It is the same spirit that got Satan kicked out of heaven.
I ask you again. Do you think your life is still about you?