There are some in the Christian community of today who will want you to believe that "it is not about YOU!". But they are quite wrong, it is all about you, it has always been about you.
It is a question some never ask. It is a question
that never leaves the lips of others. It
is a question that pervades history, yet mocks time. It is a question that has no answer. Yet it is a question whose answer is life and
death itself. What IS the meaning of
life? What is it all about? Why am I here?
The philosopher says “I think, therefore I am “, and
yet after proving the existence of his own life is at a loss to explain its
purpose. Some say all life is one and
yet in defining its dimensions are still seeking enlightenment as to its
purpose. Others say all life is illusion
and in doing so deny it any purpose. The
God of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph said, “I Am “,
and in defining his own existence gave purpose to those who believe in Him. “Fear (awesome respect and
reverence ) God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man”. (Ecclesiastes
12:13) But like children we forever ask “Why “. Yet there is a reason why we
cannot answer this age old question – What is the meaning of life? I realized why the other day - It is the wrong question! - Me! Me! Me! – It’s
all about me!
I was thinking about the times I have been wronged, treated
unfairly, wrongly accused, bullied,
set upon ( Both physically and verbally), and a myriad other
grievances ( it’s a very long list). “I deserve better”, I complained to my Lord!
Vengeance is mine, said my Lord, but you - my child – you must forgive. “Why!” I
cried, and my Lord said, “Because I alone have the power to
achieve true justice. You have only the power to forgive - or not
to forgive, and for YOUR sake it is better to forgive! For
only in forgiveness do you free yourself from the past -
and its
burdens.
“Father”, I cried, “the world about me crumbles and I
cannot save it from itself!” The power to do so is not
given
to you He gently reminds. It is given to no-one. Not even I can
save the world - from itself! But I have given you, and to all the
people of the world, the power, and opportunity, to save themselves.
What have you done with yours?
“Father”, I asked, “through tears of frustration,
there is so much need in all the world and I am weak and
tired from effort, and I cannot meet it all. What should I do next?”
He holds me in His hand and I find rest. “Be still”, He whispers, “I have not asked
this
of you. I have given you only opportunities to help and you
are doing well with them”. And a light dawned and heralded a
new day in my life. Me! Me! Me! – It’s all about Me!
What is the meaning of life? – There is no meaning of
life! It’s the wrong question! The
true question is........ “What is the meaning of MY life?” And the answer to
that, lies within me alone!
Me! Me! Me! – It’s all about Me! In everything I do, in
everything I say.
How I respond to people, to events, to situations, to opportunities and
to temptations, to praise and to criticism. The values I place on
things. The choices I make. Only the Lord can give me life
and empower it, - but only I can give that life meaning!
The question is not, “Are they worthy of forgiveness?”
It is “Will I forgive?” For forgiveness is not a measure of the forgiven, it is
a measure of the one who forgives. The question is not “What is the majority
view?” It is “What view will I take?” For even a million with the same view are
still wrong if it is the wrong view! Public opinion is not always the right
opinion.
I am not responsible, nor accountable, for the moral
and ethical standards and values of our society – but I am for my own! How
others judge me is less important than whether I have been honest, open, and
truthful enough to let them judge me for who I really am!
I know others may not always like to hear what I have to say,
but sometimes it is more important that I say what others do not like to hear.
But sometimes it is just as important that I listen to what I do not like others
to say – to me!
One man is given power and sacrifices himself for his
people. Another is given power and sacrifices his people for himself. Both are
loved by some, both are hated by some. But both
have determined the meaning of THEIR lives. One has become the harbinger
of life, one the harbinger of death. And in determining the meaning of their
lives
they have determined the consequences of their deaths. Some
are born into great wealth – and squander it in misery. Some are born into
poverty and enrich their lives beyond measure. So it is with all of us. The
meaning of our lives lies within our own hands.
What is to be the meaning of MY life? Only I, and I alone,
can
decide that!
Me! Me! Me! – It’s all about Me!
D.J. Ludlow
Provided it is done freely and without charge
"Me! Me! Me! - It's All About Me!" may be copied, used and distributed
(in its entirety only, including this notice)
by
brothers and sisters in Christ
to the profit and glory of The Lord alone (ttpagoTLa)
By special permission of
D.J.
Ludlow copyright 2003
#smallgiftsministries #ttpagoTLa
