It's Not About Me

Today's Word:
Genesis 17:3-9 (God makes Abraham the 'father of nations')
Psalm 105:4-9 (The Lord remembers his covenant forever)
John 8:51-59 ("Abraham rejoiced to see my day...before Abraham came to be, I AM")

This morning, I was simply prompted to dwell on this song.

("The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." --Brennan Manning)

What if I stumble?
What if I fall?

Is this one for the people?
Is this one for the Lord?
Or do I simply serenade
For things I must afford?

You can jumble them together
My conflict still remains
Holiness is calling
In the midst of courting fame

'Cause I see the trust in their eyes
Though the sky is falling
They need Your love in their lives
Compromise is calling

What if I stumble
What if I fall?
What if I lose my step
And I make fools of us all?

Will the love continue
When my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble
And what if I fall?

What if I stumble
What if I fall?
You never turn in
The heat of it all
What if I stumble
What if I fall?

Father please forgive me
For I cannot compose
The fear that lives within me
Or the rate at which it grows

If struggle has a purpose
On the narrow road you've carved
Why do I dread my trespasses
Will leave a deadly scar

Do they see the fear in my eyes?
Are they so revealing?
This time I cannot disguise
All the doubt I'm feeling

What if I stumble
What if I fall?
What if I lose my step
And I make fools of us all?

Will the love continue
When my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble
And what if I fall?

What if I stumble?
Everyone's got to crawl
When you know that
You're up against a wall
It's about to fall
Everyone's got to crawl
When you know that

Everyone's got to crawl
When you know that
You're up against a wall
It's about to fall
Everyone's got to crawl
When you know that

I hear You whispering my name
(You say)
My love for You will never change
(Never change)

What if I stumble
What if I fall?
What if I lose my step
And I make fools of us all?

Will the love continue
When my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble
And what if I fall?

What if I stumble
And what if I fall?
What if I lose my step
And I make fools of us all?

Will the love continue
When my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble
And what if I fall?

What if I stumble
What if I fall?
You never turn in
The heat of it all
What if I stumble
What if I fall?
You are my comfort
And my God

Is this one for the people
Is this one for the Lord?

--What If I Stumble (1995)
Toby McKeehan
from the DC Talk album "Jesus Freak"

Holiness continues to call - regardless of fame or famine; whether it be in the triumph of victory or the agony of defeat.

When I started this series, I knew I would recall my journey up to now. I want to look at those days all these years later with different vision. I know that to get to where I am today I had to go through it all.

Still, as I approach recalling the summit of ministry, and as I prepare once more to sing through the rituals that solemnly celebrate the climax of the Christian year, these questions remind me to stay focused on what it's all about.

It's not about me. Ultimately, it's about what's been done for me - and everyone else - and how this can work through me. I can still do this!