"If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it." ~Exodus 20:25
I ran across this verse a few months ago, and it struck me - and I read it again this morning, exactly at the time needed most.
This life - it's not about me.
I forget that so often, on a daily basis. I'm so guilty of everyday getting so caught up in my own stresses and worries that I end up neglecting my relationships to people I love so dearly, bogged down with the weight of all I think I have to do, all alone, all on my own. We have grown up in this society that tells us we are to be self-sufficient, independent - don't be a bother, don't ever need anyone, you should be able to do it all on your own merit. Where is that in the Bible?? We are prideful creatures, all of us. We have lost the sense of what true community is - of giving, serving, and loving on one another in such a way that it's not a surprise when one friend meets the needs of another. Witnessing this kind of selfless love in the past months has been the most amazing blessing, and such an indescribably beautiful picture of the love that Christ has so freely given us. What have we done to deserve His grace? Nothing. What can we ever do to earn it or repay Him? Nothing. What does He expect in return? Nothing. All He wants is our hearts, our love, our joy, our good. To hold us to Himself for eternity - to give us mercy, not wrath. And He willingly chose the path of suffering, in order to hold me close - me. Imperfect, flawed, prideful, sinful me. That blows me away!
And yet...it's not about me.
This life that I'm living, I keep trying to earn His favor, to give back the grace He so freely gave. When I live as if I have to do things to merit His love, I'm nullifying the cross and His free gift of life and salvation. His heart rejoices in my obedience, but my spiritual salvation is not dependent upon it. And that's exactly what He's showing me - it's not about me. It's not about what I can do, what giftings and skills I have, what tasks I can do, what sacrifices I can make. This is about what God can do. He does not need me to wield my tools upon His altar, He does not need me to "save" anyone. In fact, I probably do more harm than good. Yet He invites me in, to be a witness to what Great things HE can do. He does not need me to cut or embellish the stones of His altar - but maybe He will let me stack them a little.
It's not about me. It's about God, His Kingdom, and what He can do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V0rgrt1nTM
