You mean it’s really not about me?
I admit it, I can be selfish, I am also a bit of perfectionist. (Understatement!) The two tend to go hand-in-hand.
I can get a bit wonky when things don’t go my way or work out the way I expect.
I want everything to be just so. When I am working on a project, assignment or simply dinner, I have been known to shed a tear or two or more when something is not falling into place, as I feel it should.
I want to be the perfect weight, I want to have perfect skin, I want to have perfect hair, and perfect teeth, I want to live in the perfect home and I want the perfect job.
At times, in some situations I have actually thought “I’m just too good for this”.
I want, I am, I have, I can, I can’t – I I I I I I I I I I I I I I …
It would seem I have an I problem. Recently God lead me to Philippians 2:5-7. A fix to my I trouble.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus ,who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
My attitude – It’s-all-about-me, what I want, what I need, I know better, I am better; I must be the best.
i needed a change of attitude.
Jesus’ attitude – It’s-All-About-God – He, even though He is God “did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped” He “emptied Himself taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men”. (A bond servant was basically a foot washer.)
Through out Scripture we are told to use Christ as our example, to live our lives as He lived when He walked among us.
His Perfect Life, His Attitude.
In fact His life, His death was – all-about-us. What could be more humbling than that?
Do you think Jesus ever felt sorry for Himself? No, i don’t think so.
He had no melt-downs or pity parties. When struggles came Jesus went straight to God in prayer and in submission. He loved others no matter the shape, size, status or looks. He served as a bond servant would serve.
Hours before He was to be betrayed and lead away to be beaten, tried and crucified, He washed the feet of His disciples, even the one who was about to betray Him.
my idea of perfect is not Gods idea of perfect. my attitude should be that of Christ Jesus. .
In a new song by Brandon Heath – The Light in Me – there is a line i love:
“cause in YOUR perfection – i’m just a reflection”.
Perfection is not in me, but in Him. i want to reflect Jesus in my life.
Through prayer and meditation, in the Word, and in quiet time and in total submission of His will He is changing my attitude to one of:
Humility
Servitude
Kindness
and most of all
Love
i would love to wash your feet!
By: Caryn Poling, A Disposable Woman
photo credit the watters family
Leave a Comment
ToniaBooker says
Well Sweet Sister, you certainly hit the nail on the head. I loved how you even changed from the big bold I to the little my!
How brave the Spirit is in you to have you see the insights in yourself and desire to change. Admittedly, I smile and cringed reading this because I am THE SAME, exactly the same. I cling to my schedules and box-checking and system for doing things and can get that stomach lurch when things start to go sideways. Like you, God is so loving to put some Scripture on our lips to gently remind us who is truly in control and who we truly live for.
Thank you for the encouraging words as I begin my day…
Love to you – and many prayers for encouragement being lifted up for you!
-tonia booker
Caryn says
Tonia, thank you for your comments. You know, it’s funny how when things do go “sideways” it’s then I turn to God, if I had just done that in the beginning how different things would be. Thankfully I do learn 🙂 , most of the time, but He’s always there when I sometimes still forget.
Many blessings to you.
Caryn
Brandee says
I’m so happy, Caryn, to see you featured, here. I love your post. It reminds me: I am my best someone when I reflect the One who’s so much bigger and better than I. Lots of love to you.
Caryn says
Hey Brandee, Thank you. I so agree I am also my best someone when I reflect Him.
Amy Hunt says
So glad to see you here, Caryn!
He always uses such gentleness to remind us it’s not about us, doesn’t He?!
Rich blessings as He continues to show you His complete love for you.
Caryn says
Hi Amy, Thank you, I am so glad you stopped by.
Blessings to you,
Caryn
maria says
Wow! This was so for where I am today! Well written – thank you for pointing me back to Him!! (tears here!) May he richly bless you!!
Caryn says
Oh Maria! (tears here) God Bless you sweet girl.
Caryn
Maxine says
“Perfection is not in me – it’s in Him” wow – if only we could remember this when trying to kill ourselves to be “perfect”, so we can look perfect to others…
We should be looking only to be a reflection of Him. Amen, what a beautiful reminder! A reminder *I* needed.
It’s all about Him!
Caryn says
Hi Maxine! and what a relief too, it’s a whole lot less stressful to reflect. I mean I have never seen my bathroom mirror cry on bad hair days after all.
Blessings to you, and thank you for your sweet words.
Caryn
Cynthia Lott Vogel says
Caryn, congratulations for a well-written article that hits us all “where we live.” My name means “moon Goddess” and the Christian meaning for it is “Reflector of Light”…It has long been a symbol for me – a reminder of whom it is people should see when they look at me. The moon has no light of its own…it is a cold dark pile of rock. But when bathed in the sun’s light it becomes luminous and warm… It is my goal to reflect Him like that…Sadly it is not always my reality. Your article is a wonderful reminder for me to position myself in such a way to most fully catch His radiance…No obstacles in the way. Bless you sweet sister for this and for your desire to be a reflection of Him. You have certainly been this in my life. Hugs.
Caryn says
Hugs back! <3
Heidi White says
This is a very practical and timely post. Thank you for your courage, wisdom and grace. May God raise you up as you walk in humility and wisdom. God bless you, Caryn! Hugs 🙂
Caryn says
Thank you Heidi.
Brenda @Triple Braided says
Lovely! And filled with truth! I want to be a feet washer, too!
🙂 Thank you for sharing with us!!
Julie Sunne says
“I” is such a tiny word but holds so much power over us, Caryn! Thank you for opening your heart. I love the idea of reflecting His perfection! Feet washing is certainly a path to humility and a reflection of Christ.