“It’s not you…it’s me.”
We all probably know where this phrase is used most. It’s usually a line people use to “break up” in a relationship. In essence they are saying, “You’re not the problem here…I am.” Now, I’m not sure if the line is used more for an escape route or if it’s spoken honestly but nonetheless, it’s a popular “out”.
While I was reading my Bible this morning, that phrase came to my mind in relation to my walk with God. The truth is, when it comes to failures or disappointments or “incompatibility” the fault always lies with me.
But here’s the BIG REALITY….
“It’s not you…it’s me.” may signal the end of human relationships but it’s actually the START of a deeper, more vibrant relationship with God.
For the past several weeks I’ve been going through a study with ladies in my church called “Search for Significance”. The book begins by laying the foundation in which we come to grips with the fact that we all deal with some level of dysfunction. It’s our sin nature and a sin cursed world that causes us to start off, not from a place of strength, but a place of weakness. It’s hard to accept the reality that we are broken and in need of Christ and His redemptive work – making us whole. We strive to earn our proper standing with Him by cleaning ourselves up or putting on piety in order to impress or appease Him.
But the Bible tells us in Isaiah 64:6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.
Uh oh. Now what?
Thankfully God isn’t seeking our righteousness. He wants our hearts. Romans 5:8 says, But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
If we can’t bring anything to the relationship but ourselves (all bruised and broken) we can find no place for pride or ownership. We must let it all go. We belong to Christ – the most loving Lord. Once He has our hearts, He begins to make us new. He unfolds His plan and He intends for us to walk in it. He pours into us, through His work of sanctification, His holiness. He pours Himself into us. Always giving.
When it comes to this relationship with God, Abraham got it. He had no problem seeing his weakness in light of God’s strength. In fact, he counted on it.
Romans 4:19 says, He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.
I love this! Abraham is known as one of the heroes of the Bible. Notice Abraham had no confidence in the flesh – no confidence in himself. He humbled himself and accepted that when it came to the things of God, he had only to obey and humbly receive from God’s hand. God would cause all things to work together for Abraham’s good. (Romans 8:28)
Could it be? Is God waiting for you to stop driving this relationship with Him into the direction YOU desire? Is He waiting for you to surrender your plans and demands to Him so that He can give you His best?
I know, it’s a hard pill to swallow. Entrusting your EVERYTHING to the hands of someone else is scary. And confessing your weakness (in reality, your utter helplessness to help yourself) isn’t easy. But it’s required for you to really begin to experience the fullness of this beautiful relationship. My challenge to you this morning, as you begin a new day, is to go to God and say, “Lord, it’s not you…it’s me.” Confess your need and then let Him have His way. And remember…this isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.
