Who You Aren't

That seems like a weird question, doesn't it?

Usually, people are asking the question, "Who are you?" In Christian circles they are referring to whether you know who you are in Christ. That is a good question.

However, I have been challenged to think about the other question.

I have started to do the Beth Moore study, "Beloved Disciple" at home. My church let me borrow the videos and I am glad.

Not thrilled.

It is not the study I wanted to do. I am doing it because God told the Women's Ministry Leader at our church that I wanted to. I am not kidding!

I had called her a few weeks ago asking to borrow a study. (I did not tell her which one, it wasn't this one) She said that they would have to wait and see what they were offering at church and she would get back to me.

She did. She called and said that they had an extra copy of this one and she 'just knew' that I wanted to do this one.

I did not.

I accepted, however, because they are doing a favor for me and I didn't want to appear ungrateful. :)

It was a God thing, let me tell you.

The first lesson starts out with NOT filling in the blanks on the page. UGH. I am a blank filler-inner! That is what you are supposed to do. If there is a blank, fill it in. It is a simple concept with great rewards, right?

The rewards? Being able to look at the page and seeing the 'work' done.

That was her point. This relationship with Jesus isn't about filling in the blanks to get the work done. That is part of my problem.

I sometimes think that if I have all the blanks filled in and the list is checked off, then my relationship is good.

NO, NO, NO

God is rocking my empty line page and getting to my heart.

The first question that challenged me (besides the empty lines) was this question, "Who are you not?"

I did not get it at first. Then, she sent us to the Scriptures, of course! The verse was John 1:19-31. This is the section where the priests and Levites were asking John the Baptist who he was.

"Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."
They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"
He said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No"
Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "

Now, who did he say he wasn't? The Christ, Elijah, the Prophet. He knew that he wasn't these people. He had a right view of himself in this aspect.

I can say that about myself, I am NOT those people.

BUT, it didn't stop there. He also said that he was not fit to even tie the sandals of the one who was coming after him. (v. 26)

Is he having a pity party? Maybe low self-esteem. Maybe he is depressed because God didn't give him a bigger and more important job. Maybe it is false humility and he is really looking for kudos from everyone.

No.

He just simply knew who he wasn't.

He also knew that 'his life had value through its connection to Christ.' (Beth Moore, p. 11) Jesus gave him value just by being connected to him.

So, my question is this:

Do you know who you aren't?