Saying Bye to I

I still remember reading the first sentence of Rick Warren’s book Purpose Driven Life several years ago. The words seemed to explode off of the page; ever so subtle & straightforward, yet compelling. It’s not about you. WHAT?! I mean- I know it isn’t about me, right? Do I act like it’s about me? Oh my goodness… It’s not about me! Guess I can’t where that shirt I bought 3 days ago, boldly splattered with the phrase All About Me, covering ever inch. What a humbling experience, and this is only the first line of the book. Deep down I hoped that I hadn’t been acting like everything was about me, but those words hit me like a boulder cascading off a cliff. Obviously, in some aspects of life I had definitely been thinking and behaving in this manner.

As the book went on, it explained that God’s purpose for me was so much bigger than me. How gripping! Now that I am no longer the center of my own world, I guess I need to seek God for the answers about who I am & who He wants me to be. Actually, this is a great relief. I’m sure I could only be terribly disappointed throughout my life if I continued to believe that everything was all about me.

That leads me to another song. I told you a few days ago I was listening to Da Truth. This is the introduction to the album The Faith:


I know the culture will

Teach us to be self absorbed

We ain't supposed to be self absorbed

I know we live in America-
In the era of the self exhorters

Where the music on the shelf's distorted

And the wealth is sordid

Sure as the locust will fly

Everywhere we look the focus is I

But we got to say bye? Bye why?

'Cause in the Kingdom of God, you know, my plus I got to die

Takes more than I to survive, so we stand fortified

Salvation is ours- like four to five

Or six to seven

Got to stick with the brethren

Break bread, pitch tents together

And let's gather

Rather than stand alone

Don't stand a chance if we stand on our own

'Cause we're prone to stray

All affected when a bone is fray

We need each other that's been thrown away

Let's get it back now...

This message explains that our culture promotes the it’s all about me attitude. We tend to be self absorbed & exhorted, but as my favorite line states- "in the Kingdom of God, you know, my plus I got to die. Takes more than I to survive." We don’t stand a chance all by ourselves. When left to our own devices, we crumble and fall. We must help one another and seek help when we need it.

God seeks to restore the relationship that was broken between Him and man. That’s why we must say good-bye to I. We will never be fully restored to God without striving to know Him and those around us. We not only learn how other folks are with our associations, we also learn so much about ourselves and all the things that tend to be unGodly.

Look beyond yourself to obtain understanding of who you are amongst the big picture. You can not fulfill the purpose God has for you to affect a situation, people & the world if you are constantly focused on you. Sharing the responsibility of this life with God should provide you with more than relief. You should also be full of joy and peace.

You see, what I’ve come to understand is that it’s not all about me is not such a terrible revelation. With the focus off of me, it’s now all about God- what He originally envisioned and the mercy & grace His provides to restore us back to that place. How awesome! God cares for all of us and we must care for Him and each other as well. So you see, each day, amongst the culture of distractions and self-regarding lifestyles, I strive to see God, to hear His voice, to do His will. That’s why today, and everyday since that eye opening experience, I am

Saying Good-Bye to I.