You More Than I

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters

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“You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.” – Psalm 139:5
A wise man once told me “you can tell a lot about a person by the number of times they refer to themselves in an average conversation.” Me, Myself and I, the trinity of stupidity. I’m learning that when I am at my best, it’s because my focus is on others more than myself. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:3,4 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself, Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others”.
I’ve lived a life where I did nothing but try to keep myself happy, and I became frustrated and empty. I also figured out others aren’t interested in conversations that highlight myself. Although there is still a selfish streak in me that at time screams “WHAT ABOUT ME?” … and that’s when I need to retreat. I need to find myself looking at the source of all my joy and contentment. It has to be “You more than me”, and the ‘You’ has to be God before others. When I need to be reminded of my true identity and get a fresh perspective of who God says I am, it’s Psalm 139 for me. A Psalm of David where I counted at least 22 times he uses the pronoun “You” in his prayer. It’s a prayer of adoration and also puts us in the picture with God.

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

​​You know my sitting down and my rising up;

​​You understand my thought afar off.

 ​​You comprehend my path and my lying down,

​​And are acquainted with all my ways.

 ​​For there is not a word on my tongue,

​​But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

 ​​You have hedged me behind and before,

​​And laid Your hand upon me.

​​Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

​​It is high, I cannot attain it.”

Once I gain a security in knowing who I am in Christ, I am able to serve the Lord with a pure perspective, no longer filtering my motives through a deceitful heart that at times contains insecurity, bitterness, anger, and malice. I have to know when to act and when not to. It’s the prompting of the Holy Spirit that needs to be acknowledged. I can only be aware of this if all my selfish ambitions are set aside, also not looking for the praise of man rather the praise from God. Paul addresses this in Romans 2:29 when comparing the motives of our heart, he says, “No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people” NLT.
So if you’re finding yourself in a discontent of frustrating mood try and replacing some of you” I’s” with “You’s” because it should always be “You more than I”. Amen.
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.
The Daily Bible Reading: Job 31-32| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
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Daily Quote: “Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays.” – Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. – Romans 5:1-2
 
 

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