We’re Not All That
Here’s the deal.
After standing in a room tonight with a hundred or so AMAZING people who all are “somebody”, I realized again…
It’s not who you know…It’s Who you serve.
At the end of the day it is not about getting “the deal”
At the end of the day it’s not about writing “the song”
At the end of the day it’s not about meeting “the man”
At the end of the day it’s not about your church hitting “that number”
At the end of the day it’s not about speaking at “the conference”
At the end of the day it’s not about writing “the book”
At the end of the day it’s not about losing “those pounds”
At the end of the day it’s not about being invited to “that party”
At the end of the day it’s not about being on “the list”
At the end of the day it’s not about opening for “that band”
At the end of the day it’s not about dating “that girl/guy”
At the end of the day it’s not about hitting “those stats”
At the end of the day it’s not about getting “that award”
At the end of the day it’s not about selling “that number of copies”
At the end of the day it’s not about creating “the perfect sermon series”
At the end of the day it’s not about solving “that problem”
At the end of the day it’s not about preaching “that message”
At the end of the day it’s not about shmoozing “those reps”
At the end of the day it’s not about everyone lifting “those hands”
At the end of the day it’s not about praying “that prayer”
All that crap is just crap.
It does not matter.
It is not your identity.
It will ALL go away.
But what will not go away is that moment that you stopped believing all your self righteous lies and found your identity in Christ alone.
Not the deal, the song, the man, that number, the conference, the book, those pounds, that party, the list, that band, that girl/guy, those stats, that award, that number of copies, the perfect sermon series, that problem, that message, those reps, those hands, or that prayer.
It is about Christ in you the hope of Glory.
So let’s make a deal.
For today, myself included, let’s not drop one name, not unless it’s His.
Los
"It is about Christ in you the hope of Glory."
Amen.
Amen,good words
Amen.
Christ, what humanity looks like when in harmony with God.
I, what humanity looks like when broken.
Christ in me, the Hope of Glory.
My Identity, reconciled, made anew, in harmony with God.
Now, I am human again.
Now, I can live life to the fullest.
Thank you Jesus.
Amen.
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good words, Praise God.
Amen!
Amen back atcha.
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Love the fact that we are worshiping in truth, even here on RS.Praise God.
Honored to be the first one to comment on that….. I'm so glad to hear you say that los. That is why I connect with you brother. Our love for Christ. love you bro, T
Bro. Sorry I have not called you back. I suck!!!
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All those things you mention are about our pride. Our pastor taught on pride this week. He mentioned that pride is mentioned 150 times in the bible, and in every instance it's a negative.
Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about[a] himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Good word.
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Pride sucks, it is my kryptonite.
invisible to you. seen by Him. nothing else matters.
Awesome dude. I need to remind myself of this often.
Me too.
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Amen! Nothing is hidden from Christ. He is my provider, promoter and the very reason i am allowed to breathe each day. Do all things unto him.
He is indeed our promoter, I love the concept of providence.
Glad to see you write this….. things get a little "church-ous" around here sometimes…. stopping the "church-u-losity" and "spiritual-arity" is a hard step…
Totally. We will still get churchy as long as we keep our focus.
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Sent from my iPhone.
What's in my dome? Come see at http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com
It's not about religion. It must be a relationship first. My dad always tells me that we are too busy polishing our stained-glass window.
Wow. I'm pretty sure the Lord had you write this just for me. Yup, Yup, Yup. Needed this.
Me too
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Sent from my iPhone.
What's in my dome? Come see at http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com
Yes!
All glory and honour to God!
Amen.
One of the best posts I have read. Thanks for the reminder Los.
AMEN carlos! this is my heart, to the core.
Amen! Nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Honestly, your post just ticked me off in all the right ways! I've found myself too caught up in the game and "competition" of church planting recently…and I needed that. Thanks for being real!
It's amazing how I get ticked off at hearing truth. Realizing my pride.
Yeah man, the truth is a tough pill to swallow! But, it is so necessary if we are going to grow and stay on track w/ what God has called us to do! This post definitely kicked my pride in the teeth!
"He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30 (ESV)
Seriously, think about how amazing His Church would look like if everyone of us could stay true to these words? What a cool picture…
Well, Los is about as famous a name you'll ever see me drop, but I get the point! Amen
I really needed this today. I'm not just a small volunteer playing a small part in a small church. I'm serving Jesus, the King of all of it. Thank you.
You are important!!!!
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small churches have people with large hearts.it's not about the #'s or whether you are a lay leader, etc.If we go back to Acts there was nothing but faith and aggressive witness. We need to streamline and downsize and go back to God.
Thanks for the reminder and challenge!
What a great reminder! Thanks bro!
Thanks Los. It is so important to remember that the action isn't nearly as important as why we do it and who we do it for.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 17:18
http://chrissulli.blogspot.com
Nice. Sometimes we get "glazed" eyeballs and don't see past all the crap.
He is truly the Famous One & the Only One really worth following!
Thanks for reflecting the glory and the buzz back to the one who deserves them both. Have an awesome day today Los – way to keep it real!
we like the buzz, it's hard to let go of it.especially those of us with personalities that are larger than ourselves.we want the glory, but it is not about us.
PREACH!
Very true, but indirectly it it about Who you Know, because to truly serve Christ you need to Know Christ – which admittently does happen when you serve. Agg whatever, it is ALL for His Glory.
Amen!! It's ALL for Him, His glory – our hearts need only HIM!!
Great post
So true.
So far this year has been one of perspective checking for my wife and I.
His glory is all that matters.
Amen
thanks los. needed that simple reminder.
That's awesome, Los. Will do.
Thanks you
I so needed to see this today. Thanks.
I was talking with Chuck Swindoll, Rick Warren and Billy Graham earlier today. We're all in agreement on this.
Awesome sir. Our sermon yesterday was about this topic of finding identity in Him only. Paul said "to live is Christ". I want that to be true in my life.
excellent man…
Hey what do you think about this? Brett Mccracken talking about the church being over sex-ified: http://www.conversantlife.com/god-and-culture/sex...
Amen Los… One of your best posts – "It's Not about ME… it's about CHRIST IN me"
I can just hear LeCrae's "Identity" song playing in my head right now after reading this. I would be LOST without my Jesus. no connection is anywhere near as important in my life. "On Christ the Solid Rock We Will stand… all other ground is sinking sand"
PS this post might just make a powerful video illustration – just thought I'd throw it out there
Thanks for this dude. If I'm honest this has been the struggle of my life. I don't know if it's just magnified as a program ministry/ worship guy or if most people wrestle with this as much as I do. But, it sums up much of my lameness and turns the focus to the right place- the truth- that the whole concept of rockstars (christian or otherwise) whether it be worship guys, musicians, teachers, gifted leaders, etc. is kinda gross. This sounds really cheesy (and I can just picture the Tomlin cranking in the background with flocks of white doves soaring as I drop this) but, how funny we are with access to the most famous one of all and we trade it for pretty normal people who are gifted, but who probably won't be remembered a 100 years from now. Anyways, thanks- good thoughts. Aloha.
He must become greater; I must become less.
WOW, I Love it! i have been reading your Blog for a while now( just haven't posted) Los, And this is EXACTLY what i feel that God has Been Dealing with me on! I think that in order for us to reach People, they need to see us as Authentic. Not as someone High on a Pedestal,Super important have it all together- Somebody
In- Christ We are ALL Somebodies! Somebody that God has a Specific Plan and Purpose for! When we Decrease, and let him increase in our lives,God Gets ALL the Glory!!
It's not about me. And it's not about you. It's about God and God alone. It is He who does. It is He who deserves the glory, not me and you. Somewhere our focus got altered and really screwed-up. It's God who saw fit for me to be laid off in November. It is God who saw fit to make me think about what He wants me to do.He put those desires in my heart and led me there. It's not about the recession or the whitehouse wonder-boy, it's about God.
We are not all that, but we strive to be – why is that? It means we get in the way of God. I know that do that and need to remember to be His servant.
That's about settles it right there. Couldn't have said it better.
We try so hard to be relevant and hip and cool and there's so much push to fit in and be known.
We've lost our focus…
It was never about the creative and engaging environments.
It was never about the neat Christian conferences and the next hottest Christian blogger.
It was never about trying to be the next Andy Stanley or Rick Warren.
It was never about the next hot book or trend.
….
It was about the Word wrapping Himself in flesh, descending down to the earth, and dwelling among us.
It was about a Father so in love with a fallen and corrupt world that He made the death of His Son on a cross His goal – to make us right with Him again.
It was about the Samaritan woman at the well who experienced a man who embraced her not by her race but by His grace.
It was about a Jewish tax collector who was invited to follow a man as He changed the course of history in truth and love.
It's about us waking up every morning being wrapped in the arms of our heavenly Father, with an all-consuming desire for us to show the world this love.
It's about Him!
Oh, How He Loves Us!!!
May you and I never forget.