Tuesday, December 28, 2010

I'VE GOTTA BE ME

“I’ve gotta be me…”

Remember that old song?

If you’re too young to remember, please DO NOT flaunt that fact to us oldies in the audience…just sayin’

I am a product of the “ME” generation – when the driving force in life seemed to be “find yourself” and “do your own thing.”

And so, self-fulfillment became the goal in life.

Even if you’re not a product of the 70’s, we all try to discover who we are. Who am I really? Why do I act and think the way I do?

I’m the oldest of three children in my family. I don’t know if that’s the reason why this is true – but I’m an awful lot like my dad, and I’m an awful lot like my mom.

Some of the “good stuff” – and some of the “bad!”

I’m a little hodge-podge of their genes, their personalities, their thoughts and values, and their character traits.

Evidently I’m so much like the two of them that my sons see it. My husband of only 5 years sees it. My brother and sister see it.

Occasionally, I ask – is there any “ME” in here at all?

There is – quite a bit actually. I’m a blended coffee drink.

Dad’s coffee, Mom’s sugar – and a healthy dollop of my creamer…

Stir it all up together – and you get ME!

But I’ve been thinking. There’s an awful lot about me that I don’t like. There’s a lot of tinkering I need to do. Some hammering and chiseling. A few areas for touch-up paint. And a portion of the “house” that needs a complete “overhaul.”

I can’t do it myself.

“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate…And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway…I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong…” (From Romans 7)

Can anyone relate?!

What a mixed-up person I am.

Helpless in the shackles of being “me.”

I don’t know about you – but I am greatly consoled by the fact that these words came from Paul – the Apostle Paul – the great warrior of God.

He felt the “me” inside of him that he didn’t like.

Are we stuck?

Of course not!

Because you see, in a spiritual sense, we are blended coffee drinks!

I’ve come up with this example – see what you think.

Take a clear glass. We’re going to pretend that that’s our body. Then fill the glass with water. That’s going to be our spirit.

That’s a picture of the “me” in all of us.

Now, when you come to salvation, when you become a follower of Jesus, something happens.

Take some red food coloring. That’s the blood of Jesus – shed for us on the cross. Put one drop in that glass of water, and stir it up.

What happened?

Is there still a glass? Yes. Is there still water in the glass? Yes. Is the water the same? No – it’s been CHANGED. It’s impossible to tell where the water stops and the food coloring begins.

We are blended – completely and totally.

A new product – a new “me” has been formed.

We have the Spirit of the Living God within us, my friends. Power and Strength and Peace and Victory.

“…the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin…you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you…through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature…” (From Romans 8)

So, I’ve been thinking. There’s an awful lot of me that I don’t like. But God has promised to TRANSFORM me, to make me something new.

That’s what I want – to let God tinker, hammer and chisel, paint – and yes, even do a complete “overhaul.”

“I’ve gotta be me…”

No, Lord. I don’t want that.

I want to be YOUR “me.”


BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

17 comments:

  1. The 64 million dollar question -

    “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate…And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway…I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong…” (From Romans 7)

    And the other thing is - I want to be what God wants me to be - but sometimes I don't want to be who others want me to be.

    Dear Abbey - wht is the answer to that one?

    SANDIE

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  2. I can surely relate to Romans 7!! Praising God along with you for the new me. The new creation is Christ! And I too want to be His me! Wonderful post!

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  3. Great Post Sharon, probably one we can all relate to, I know I can. Blessings - Nita

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  4. I love it! We are all blended cup of joe -- a mix of elements of choice and circumstance. But, ALSO, we can be transformed by allowing God to "tinker." We just have to be obedient to His hand. I want to be the best ME possible! I want to be how God sees me! I want what you want: "I want to be YOUR 'me.'”

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  5. Lovely...

    Blended coffee, I like that, Sharon. My all time favorite Starbucks drink is cafe latte... the coffee and the milk. So I understand. Not plain coffee... not plain milk... but blended.

    We're all unique creations - God knew just the right mix.

    My "friend", the one I wrote about on my blog, also handed me a gift. I knew it was not intended for me, it had a different tag on it. But I accepted it graciously. I was not after the healing of the relationship (frankly, I want out)... I just wanted to obey and be right in the sight of God.

    Thanks for asking.

    I treasure your friendship on this amazing world called blogland. SO glad our paths crossed. You have been a blessing... I wish all the best for the coming new year.

    Love
    Lidj

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  6. Sandie - OK, putting on my "Dear Abby" hat here. Hmmm... I'm sort of a rebel when it comes to being "forced" into someone else's image of me. A lot of the time it's because their ideas don't "fit." Does that make sense? The Bible tells us that we can't even always trust our own hearts. So, the only place to go is to God. He knew exactly how He made "Chatty" - He knows how He made me - and that's who He wants us to be. God's "me" will always be growing in spiritual maturity, and always growing in my likeness to Him. That's probably the best measure of it all. How much do I look like Jesus?

    Joyfull - A new me. I can't tell you how glad the thought of that makes me! Transformation - working from the inside out - God making me something I can't be without Him. That thrills me. It's going to be painful at times, I think - but oh, the end result! A "me" that more fully glorifies Him!

    Nita - Thank you. I was reminded of the Scripture that says, "He must increase, and I must decrease." It's all about dying to self - OUCH! But the pain is completely overshadowed by the wonderful thought of being "blended" with the Spirit!

    Alisa - Liked your phrase: "...a mix of elements of choice and circumstance." Yes! And I am so thankful that God has forgiven me of wrong choices, and delivered me from difficult circumstances. His "tinkering" is working - obedience is the key!

    Lidj - In my opinion, you have acted on the Spirit's leading in this matter. I think the rest is best left up to God, as you have so wisely chosen to do. Sometimes I get so caught up in what other people are/are not doing, that I get distracted from the work God wants to do in me. (I hear some hammers out there - God's got work to do!) I can't tell you how happy it makes me that we have crossed paths, too! I find it incredibly wonderful how God has used the Internet - a place that is notorious for "impersonal" contact - and used it to forge real relationships among His believers. You encourage me, Lidj - I always love reading your posts. I am excited to get to know you better, and to see what God does in 2011!

    GOD BLESS!

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  7. Dear Sharon, A lovely morning to you! After reading your inspiring post yesterday my heart was set on fire! Fire that no darkness can extinguish. Everybody I chatted to couldn't get a word in edge ways. I was so-oo-oo excited to be re-telling and sharing your story, what an incredible blessing! God is so good to me!!! And today, I have just read your kind loving comment on my BlogSpot. Now I'm even more excited! God’s perfect timing and amazing love has bought us together, to share our love of Christ, our individual journeys and our life experiences. Although there are many different facets to our individual journeys they are also entwined. Entwined by the graces and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. What an honor!!! I was thinking today, as this year is drawing to a close, at times I have felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride, always going down. I may have been going down, but Jesus is right there lifting me back up. When we experience these downs, the absolute joy of the journey is going up! As it is on a roller coaster ride – all the screaming starts while going down, but what joy beyond comprehension when we’re going back up. So today, with joy in my heart and a smile, I say aloud a big YES we made it, together, Jesus’ hand in my hand, YES, we made it!!! I opened my Bible (a bit like your pick ‘ems) and stopped, my eyes set on these words “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf…” 2 Chronicles 20:17 Wow! God calling out to me in that moment, saying “stand firm, hold your position” Kerrie! Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. What a great verse to be pondering on, as this year ends, and new battle lines are drawn in 2011. I will call back to comment on “I Gotta Be Me”. Just have to pop out to the shops for a few items. With love and care from Kerrie. xOx

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  8. I’m back… G’day! Someone once said “A picture paints a thousand words.” Well, dear Sharon, your words paint one glorious image, pointing straight to Jesus. How I wish the naughty ‘me’ would disappear, so I could be the ‘me’ Jesus intended me to be. When I know I have done wrong in His sight I feel such sadness and cry a flood of tears. I really do. For me, there is no greater pain in this world, than to let God down. O’ how I love Him so!!! My son, Jaiden likes to watch Walt Disney movies, the song that comes to my mind at the moment is from ‘The Jungle Book’…

    “I wanna be like you
    I wanna talk like you
    Walk like you, too
    You'll see it's true
    Someone like me
    Can learn to be
    Like someone like me
    Can learn to be
    Like someone like you
    Can learn to be
    Like someone like me!

    I'm tired of monkeyin' around!
    Oh, oobee doo
    I wanna be like you
    I wanna walk like you
    Talk like you, too
    You'll see it's true.”

    Have a great day my friend! Love, Kerrie. xOx

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  9. Hi Sharon, hope you and your family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas. I've been on a bit of a break. I really like the illustration you developed. It would be a great object lesson.

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  10. I'm reading this late at night and plan to start my day by reading it again in the morning. What an excellent post for the entire New Year ahead too!

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  11. Kerrie - I'm just SO excited about us meeting! A God "appointment" indeed! I'm just going to start my response to you by saying this - your comments would make a wonderful post! Think about it - these words are so inspiring. Loved the roller coaster analogy. I used to love/hate roller coasters - they scared me, and they thrilled me. I agree, our faith journey is much like that, isn't it? Up and down, scary and exciting - but always, ALWAYS, we have Jesus at our side! That verse from Chronicles is one of my favorites. Today I read this one - "Watch, for the day of the LORD is coming...Then the LORD will go out and fight..." (Zechariah 14:1,3) I am so inspired by what I call "warrior language" in God's Word! So...I stand by your side as the battle lines are drawn. We will help each other stand FIRM! (OH, how much I adored the Jungle Book song. Brought back memories from when my sons were little, and applying the words to God - priceless!)

    Wanda - We had a very nice Christmas, and I hope that you did, too. I've missed you on your blog - was glad to see your post tonight. Looking forward to sharing our journeys in 2011. (I'm thinking of some way I can develop my "object lesson." Suggestions?)

    Anita - Thanks, Anita. I guess this would be my New Year's resolution. I just want to be God's daughter, fully following Him in trust and obedience. HIS me!

    GOD BLESS!

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  12. Sharon--what else is left to say but WOW! Great writing and insight. "No Lord, I don't want to be me....I want to be the me You want me to be."

    Just great!

    Blessings,
    Janis

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  13. Janis - Thanks. Could there be anything better than being "all that I can be" if it is the ME that GOD created? This is my goal as I move into 2011...

    GOD BLESS!

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  14. Hi Sharon -

    Yes I remember that song. I can only remember THAT line of it.

    I love that you mentioned Romans 7 to remind us of Paul's struggles. Also, I love that you said, "I want to be YOUR "me."

    Yes, let us allow our Lord to transform us into His image with the mind of Christ.

    Let us let love stir our "coffee" poured from the ready pot of our Lord steaming from the fire of the Holy Spirit. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.

    I'll drink to that...slow brew...gotta get it right...

    Coffee, tea, or me?

    I'll have HIM - gourmet all the way...

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  15. Sandra - You've done it again! You have such a unique way of expanding on my "word pictures." I'm going to suggest again that you might think of a post - a uniquely Sandra post - in a coffee shop. Maybe "Sonbuck's"?? And your comments are the perfect beginning - inspiring us to drink the right brew...

    Make mine a VENTI - !!

    GOD BLESS!

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  16. Hi Sharon -

    Thank you for the suggestion...perhaps...

    I am not a coffee drinker, but related to your story...

    Not sure I can do a coffee story as I am not familiar with the assortments, etc. but then again, if our Lord desires...we can do all things through Christ...

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  17. Sandra - Maybe I'm supposed to do the coffee story. Hmmm...
    Have to pray and ponder!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)