Welcome, friends, for today's edition of Break the Tape. Essentially, our goal is to identify the lies that repeat themselves over and over again in our minds, break the tape that automatically begins plays when ever we feel we've fallen short, and learn a new song to sing in its place.
Meet Michelle. There are many cool things to know about her, but one thing I LOVE is that she has a heart for middle school boys. She's even written studies with her husband for them. You can check them out here. I could go on about her heart, but I want you to get on with reading her words...
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MINE!
I GOT IT! I GOT
IT! I GOT IT!
Words I yell to call
people off a ball when playing sports.
They mean,
"Back off! I'm taking this and I don't need your help."
Crucial in a game like
volleyball or baseball
to avoid a collision
or to make a play -
deadly in my spiritual
walk.
I'm a Paul: A++ in the pedigree and training category (Philippians 3:2-11). The big difference
between Paul and me is that I trusted Christ at the age of 4. By personality
and background, I've been blessed with an "I got it" attitude. At
times I do fear things, but most of the time I'm operating in a confident mode.
The only problem is
I
sometimes subconsciously yell,"I got it! I got it!" in
my daily routine.
Maybe not in words, but definitely in actions.
It's not a willful rejection of God. It's getting comfortable in
my routine, thinking of myself more highly than I should, ending up with me in
the driver's seat wanting to direct, because I think - no, I know - I
can.
•
I have a Master's Degree in education - so of course I know how
to home school my kids.
•
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Bible - so of course I know the
Bible and theology and doctrine too
•
I have memorized lots of scripture growing up - so of course I'm
a walking Bible
•
I don't remember much about life before Jesus - so of course I'm
really not that bad
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!
•
GOD has the wisdom I need for teaching my kids, not my education
(although it helps)
•
GOD is my teacher, not my degree. He reveals the truth of His
word - fresh and new when I read
•
GOD wants me to continually hide His word in my heart, not rest
on my laurels
•
GOD says ALL have sinned and fall short of His glory. My
righteousness (while it may look fantastic to me) is filthy garbage to Him
Throughout this "little" journey God has me on, I'm
learning that each little moment of the day needs to be His. While it's true
that I can do these things because I have lots of training, if I'm not doing
them in concert with God, depending
on His strength, nothing of eternal value is accomplished. Too often I get so
caught up in being proactive and prepared that I push the Holy Spirit right out
of the picture. I think my next journey is going to be balance - it's actually
one Tim & I have been on for a very, very long time!
I need to be more like my oldest, who brought a friend to a big
youth outreach event. During the invitation, Nathan said, "It wasn't me. I
didn't have anything to do with it. I was just praying, 'OK God, here's where
you do your thing'." He prayed, waited, and watched the Holy
Spirit work in his friend's life to bring him into the Kingdom!
So now when I say,
"I got it!"
those need to be words of understanding.
~Eureka!~
The lightbulb turned on!
Yes, I got it!
it's NOT mine. It's YOU,
God!
Want to read more of Michelle? Click here to travel to her blog, Leading God's Generation.
Wow. I feel like you are describing me to a T! Complete with a degree in education and theology and salvation at a young age. Thanks for this reminder that its all worthless without Christ in me!
ReplyDeleteMary Beth @newlifesteward
Kindred spirits! Thanks for your encouraging words, Mary Beth.
DeleteI guess I can join you and Mary Beth in the club of "GOT IT MYSELF". God has worked long and hard on this A plus woman to teach her that HE's the one that's got ME. Crazy how much more joy I have when I wait on Him and let Him lead.
ReplyDeleteSo very true, Alicia. Guess what I did today? Thought 3 different times about posting another link on my Facebook to this post - actually typed stuff in. Didn't have peace, so I didn't post. Finally I heard God say, "I GOT THIS ONE!" and I laughed out loud. There I was again trying to control & get "traffic" to the very post where I said I needed to back off!! I think I need to read it again! :-)
DeleteWaiting on Him together,
Michelle
I can be an "I got it" girl at times. My husband's favorite saying on this farm -- whether things are good or bad -- is this: "God's Got it."
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great saying, Jennifer. I need to put it on my wall. Check out my reply above to see my flesh in action today!!
DeleteHugs,
Michelle
thought provoking post, Michelle. The line that really struck me was: It's getting comfortable in my routine, thinking of myself more highly than I should, ending up with me in the driver's seat wanting to direct, because I think - no, I know - I can.
ReplyDeleteyes I too get so comfortable within my warm safe ego I fail to see God is the one in charge, not me.
Great reminder!!
Thank you my friend. I needed the reminder myself - read my 2nd reply above! UGH!! Growth comes in little steps, right?!
DeleteHugs,
Michelle
Yes, an "I got it' mentality is deadly in our spiritual walks. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eileen. Blessings to you!
DeleteMichelle
Ah...the "I can do it myself." Catches me when I'm not looking. The, "Here's where you can do your thing, Lord" blessed me! Oh for the faith of a child. Thank you, Michelle, and Jen, for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I find myself falling into this trap far too often - even when I think I'm not. I'm sure I've had to learn the lesson that I'm not in control about a hundred times by now, and it still doesn't stick! Praise God that He doesn't give up on me! Thank you so much for these words. What incredible truth!
ReplyDeleteThoroughly neat song and good-thinking post. Enjoyed worshiping with "you".
ReplyDelete