If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me!!!!
Many years ago I heard a wonderful sermon about ten very powerful words.
IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME!
Now at the time of that sermon I was much more in to self righteous behavior because most sermons that I heard surrounded the idea of how we could please God. The funny thing is that even though now that I understand Bold Grace and realize that I don’t have to do anything to please God I still find these ten words to carry great power.
The reason is because I fully realize that God has given me complete freedom to create the world in which I want to live on this earth. I know he won’t reject me regardless of what I choose to say or do. I know His love is not based on me but rather on who He is. Knowing this makes me feel incredible. To know that God is willing to let me choose my way, good or bad, and that at the end of the journey He will still be standing by me side.
So, for me these ten words help me focus on what kind of a person I really want to be.
My beautiful southern cousin Connie quoted the following:
“Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” (George Elliot)
I want to be a person that others feel safe with and IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME.
My beautiful daughter Mindy quoted the following:
“”The greatest sweetener of human life is Friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover.”
–Joseph Addison
I want to be this kind of friend to all. I want to understand the secret that few discover and IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME.
Kevin Beck wrote the following:
What’s stopping us? Fear. Anxiety. Ego. Pride. Selfishness. Desire for power and control. Our false selves. We can (will and do) experience true community and hospitality when we awaken to our interconnectedness and oneness.
God has given me complete freedom to choose my life hear on earth. At 56 years old I am very clear that the things that Kevin mentions above are the very things that will block me from being all that I want to be. I can no longer use the excuse of being young and dumb. I can not longer use the excuse of feeling guilt and shame because I don’t. I have great peace with God and because of that peace I feel a sense of awe for the image that lives within me. I no longer want to live in lies and illusions. I want to allow this image in which I was created to come fully to the surface of all that I do and say and IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME.
I thank each and every person who comes here in the name of true friendship. Let us put our false selves away and focus on the reality of who we really are.
I no longer believe I have any power at all to reject God. I do believe God is all powerful and it is His will for me to find my way in the understanding of His perfection. I also believe He has give us great freedom to see for ourselves, experience for ourselves, and choose our own way on this earth. One thing He will not let me choose is to stay in a state of illusion. Sooner or later He will reveal the Glory of our creation to each and every one of us. Until that time I want to use my freedom wisely and so I will get up each morning with these ten little words always in my mind……IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME! Godspeed to ALL.
“IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME.”
I imagine that this must have been a powerful inspiring thought which resulted in the way in which Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem and the events which awaited Him there….the events that would lead to the redemption of the world.
May all of the Boldgrace readers desire earnestly to be of the many brethren that are a direct result of the unselfish loving acts of the Firstborn and may we be effective in helping to bring about the promises that all things (including all people) will be gathered to Him and that the whole earth will be full of his glory. It is difficult to imagine how wonderful a world could be if it was demonstrating the glory of God……His mercy, grace and love. The vessels He choose to be the lamps of that glory are us and Jesus was the first to reveal that Light. God let our lives make the difference in a world full of people, many of whom still think they are in darkness. May the Light shine brighter and brighter. May the full day be revealed to all and may we help to cause it to happen.
IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME…….and YOU.
I like it! Thanks!
This is so true, Cliff. But, I’ve found that it’s much easier to “be” when one has a heart and mind filled with supernatural love. Seems to me that it all begins with our perception of God, and our place with (within) Him. If that perception leads us to peace, then everything good will spring from it.
By the way, the photos from Geo and Bonnie’s picnic are up on the “photos” page. Enjoy!
I am going to remember this “IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME”
I love coming here and finding some encouragement. It is rough going to school full time, trying to get my son on a normal sleep schedule, dealing with teething, and finding a job (for the past 3 weeks). I think i need to be reminded sometimes that I can make things happen no matter how hard it seems or no matter how worn out I am. I thought about something similar to this title you used. I thought about how I used to pray to ask God to give me things I wanted. But he can’t give me things I want. He already gave me what I need which is his everlasting love and a place in heaven with him. The things that I want in life are up to me and that is what my free will is for. The church tends to say that free will means you get to choose heaven or hell. Thank God I know otherwise. You are awesome Cliff, thanks for this posting.