It’s about Him.
She’s gone. I had a friend pass away suddenly and unexpectedly this week and I saw her for the last time, just last night. I stood over her casket and with tears welling up in my eyes, I whispered, “I am so sorry…” and as they spilled over, “I am so very sorry.”
I walked outside and let the cold wind and freezing rain refresh my face. Months ago, I saw a picture of her where she had been arrested and was in handcuffs. That image did something to me. I saw a child when I looked at that picture. I saw a child. I saw a child who had a hard life. I saw me. I saw you. I saw us all. It could have been any of us.
I reached out to her and went to visit her in jail. We wrote each other weekly. I would send her scripture to look up and she would write back with her thoughts and with scripture for me. She mentioned a local church who sent a Mom and daughter each Monday to do a bible study with them. She was writing me encouraging letters about Jesus and hope.
She was released early and before I even knew she was out of jail, she was dead. Gone. Waves of emotions have taken me all over the place in my journey this week, and they have washed me ashore crying out “WILLING!”
Here I am Lord, send me! (Isaiah 6:8)
But, I am so afraid. I just don’t think I have what it takes. And, what if….what if…. what if….. How do I….? Those are the questions that ran through my mind as I closed my eyes in exhaustion last night.
I woke up this morning and read the last set of yesterdays verses again on my bible plan because they did not get checked off. When I read them again today – they jumped off the page and did a happy dance all around me.
It’s not about me.
It’s not about me.
And, it’s not about you!
Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. But, whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:4, 5, 12, 16-18 NIV)
Our confidence is from Him.
Our competence is from Him.
Our hope is from Him.
Our boldness is from Him.
Our freedom is from Him.
Our transformation is from Him.
He’s given me everything I need.
I am so afraid, but He’s not. My confidence is from Him.
I can’t do this, but He can. My competence is from Him.
I can’t see it, but He can. My hope is from Him.
I am not bold, but He is. My boldness is from Him.
I can’t free anyone, but He can! My freedom is from Him.
I can’t change anything! But He can change EVERYTHING! My transformation is from Him.
It’s not about us. It’s about Him!
It’s not about me. I’m willing.
It’s not about you. Are you willing?
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with Freedom and Confidence. Ephesians 3:12
Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker, and the writing prompt is willing.
Linking up with Faith Barista and the writing prompt is journey.
Linking up with Elizabeth Maxon for March first friday finds.
Wow- I am so sorry! Thank you for sharing how alive the Word is for you right now… that has been a struggle for me, so you encouraged me this evening.
Julie @ Julie 2 Jules
Julie, thank you and I’m glad it encouraged you! I just read your post on Resting and how it’s your word for 2014! My word for 2014 is The Word and it’s so neat that it’s in our writing as we focus and reflect for 2014. I love your Pinterest board! Going to go make one now! Rest well! ~ Michelle
I’m so sorry you lost your friend, Michelle. Thank you for sharing this. Your closing words of how everything is FROM HIM bless me today with hope IN HIM.
Thank you Trudy! I can get so caught up in “me” sometimes and when I focus on what I can/should do I lose sight of what he can do through me! Trying to remember in many, many ways – it’s not about me! Such a relief to know it’s from Him and About Him… We just need to be willing vessels that show up! Thanks for your encouragement!
I am so sorry about the loss of your friend and I am encouraged by what you found in scripture and how it spoke to you. I will have to keep that one in my back pocket so I can pull it out as needed.
Thank you Karmen! Yes, these verses were very powerful and I too will be making note of them! They seemed to bring me great relief on Friday even though I had just read them on Thursday! I’m thankful they did not get checked off! Thank you for stopping by! By the way, I love your art!
Thank you. I saw you pinned the little hope bird. Thanks. I think he is my favorite so far. =)
I have this verse today: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
He is ALL comfort.
Thank you Yanzhen! You are such an encouragement to me! Timely Word!
So true – it is all about Him. My troubles, my worries, my fears dissipate when He reminds me of that.
Blessings ~ Dorothy
i am so sorry for your loss but so encouraged by your post! thank you for sharing!