Cornerstone

Evidently Rick Warren and Max Lucado read from the same script. The first words in Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” state “It’s not about you.” Max Lucado echoes this thought in his book, It’s Not About Me, by devoting the whole volume to the subject. “Not” is a big exclusive word. Is this statement by Rick Warren and Max Lucado totally correct? I appreciate the concept. I am humbled by the realization that too often our lives, thoughts and ambitions are self-centered. My being readily responds in praise to God when I am reminded that He is the center of my universe. My desire is that His will be done. I bow in adoration before the One who really matters in a world obsessed with selfish considerations. But I must honestly ask myself once again, “Is it only about Him?”

I ask this question which I fear will appear to be irreverent and self-serving. I take that risk because I believe the scriptures go beyond the concept of the worthlessness of humanity. I do not believe that God has these deprecating thoughts about those that He has created.

Is it ultimately about Him? Absolutely. On the other hand, it is largely about you and me. Didn’t John record the fact that God considered every human being was of great value? John 3:16 says For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Didn’t Paul remind us of this great love when he said, Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God didn’t wait to impart righteousness to us before He commended His love.

It was about me after all. It was so much about me that He decided to suffer the extreme humiliation of putting aside His divinity long enough to suffer the ravages of humanity. It was about me after all. It was so much about me that “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin , condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom 8:3) so that I could experience deliverance, holiness and divine love.
I think that God would say that it is about me.

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Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, (Grand Rapids: 2002), p. 17. It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado (Integrity: 2004).

by Dr. Gayle Woods

Judges 6:19-24 (24)

Jesus stands up in the boat. The stormy waves wash over the deck. He rubs sleep from His all seeing eyes. The disciples clutch at the mast with one hand and bail water with the other. He expresses an exasperated request, “Please be still.” The winds and waves turn pink in frustrated embarrassment and beat a hasty retreat back to their placid state.

You are right. He really said “Peace be still.” That’s exactly what He said to my heart one day. It was in a churned state of turmoil. It was boiling over the rim of my humanity. It was in a froth of frustration, and frantic concern.

On that day the Master of the Tempest stood up, looked upon me with tender forgiveness and brought a deep settled peace to my soul. I have never been the same.

He loved me before I was loveable. He wanted me while I was wayward. He called me when I was corrupt. He reasoned with me when I turned from Him in rebellion.

One poet stated, “He knew me . . . yet He loved me.” I don’t understand. All I can say is that once I was at war. Now there is a wonderful peace that insulates my heart from the strife of this world. How can I help but love Him with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind?

Dr. Gayle Woods