Its Not About Me

I am continuing my reflection from yesterday, looking at the next few verses after the man with withered legs was healed.

Acts 3:11-16 NIV:

[11] "While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. [15] You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. [16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."

I love Peter's response, "why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we made this man walk?"  What a great reminder to us all, its not in us, and not from us, but only through God's grace working through us, that we are able to do anything to further the Kingdom of God!  So many good and well meaning people have slowly been convinced that it is something special about them that allows God to work through them.  Other equally well-meaning people are quick to assume that there is something special about certain individuals, and participate in pastor/leader/prophet worship.  This is all misguided and dangerous. 

Other than relationship with Him, we have nothing special.  Our relationship is the result of His initiative.  Our gifts are from Him.  Our ability to walk in obedience and do the things He shows us, comes from Him.  It is the Holy Spirit, in us and flowing out of us that does the works!  We are nothing more than a relational conduit for the power of God, and the gifting of God, to flow.  This is no way reduces His love for us, or His desire to be in relationship with us, but is simply a recognition of where the power, authority and will to act comes from.

I am encouraged today to look to Him, to open myself to Him, to recognize that all the good in me is from Him.  Lord, help me to give You the glory and honor You deserve!  Help me to look to You for direction, guidance and equipping.  Its not about me, its about You!