I would love to be as charming as I think I am.  I would love to stand solidly in the knowledge that all I have told people about myself is the truth.  I would love to never have to ask God again to forgive me for lies of commission or omission.  Those sentences that begin with “I” are always the most relevant, insightful, regretful and self-absorbed.  If the conversation, thought or repartee, even with good intention, consistently focuses upon my shortcomings, areas of opportunity or point of view, then the bulk of my thought life, serves self.

Did I surrender my life to God?  All right, that having been done my life is now in His capable hands to mold me, shape me, direct me and remake me into something other than the likeness of Adam.  It is not my job but to yield and follow.  Subsequently, continually pondering, blustering about or bemoaning my inadequacies or strengths diverts my true focus, The Lord and His needs.

I don’t care how messed up I am.  As Paul continually remarked, that Judgment is the Lord’s prerogative, even where I am concerned.  Sure I know that I need growth but it is not my responsibility to achieve that growth, but rather to submit to the Lord’s expert hand as He moves me down the road to completion and respond to His course correction.  I don’t know where He will take me.  My job is simply as He said to “Love Him with all my heart, mind, soul and spirit as I love no other and to love my Brother as I would want to be loved.”  Yes I am to remain focused on His word, remain focused on prayer and remain focused on Him.  Any other concentration distracts from focus on the Lord and His Mission and Will for this life.

Frankly, I am tired of wasting thought upon myself.  It is much more interesting to assist others in achievement of their goals, encouragements and spiritual aspirations.  There is no better way to learn than to assist someone else in their learning.  Make somebody else’s day and you will have made a better day for two people.  The Lord has you in the palm of His hand and He knows right where, when and with what tools and for what purpose He wishes you to arrive.  Seeing the precision of His unfolding plan is enormously exciting.  If you cannot take your hands off the wheel of your own life how then do you expect to keep your fingers out of the pie that God is baking for you?  He is the master potter, the craftsman.  Why do you think He came as a CARPENTER?  It is time for us to get it and stop worrying about ourselves and leave the work, war and worry at the foot of the cross.

Of course this does not mean that you sell everything you own and go lie down by a river and wait for the Lord to move mountains on your behalf.  That is foolishness.  The Lord always sent His prophets and disciples on the road to meet up with the work He had prepared for them.  The work is “out there” my friends not in the churches sitting around eating casseroles waiting passively for the lost to walk in the front door, eager for salvation.  There is a time for fellowship and that is after the WORK has been done.  Get on the road for Christ and put the focus where it belongs on spreading the good news, warning of impending judgment and seeking the lame and the lost.  Serve God not self.  Jesus the Lord be praised.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/player/how-to-behave-in-a-cave-266007.html  The potency of self control in Biblical situations.