I am not God

I have been listening to a podcast that reads the bible to you. It doesn't read verse for verse but instead it gives you a basic break down of the chapters. With the job I now have, I do a lot of driving and so this is a great way for me to learn the bible, draw closer to God and worship Him while learning His word. Recently, the narrator was reading out of Judges about Gideon and his battle of 300 soldiers in Midian. Judges 8:1-2 tells of how the people of Ephraim questioned Gideon as to why they weren’t included in the battle. You see at this point, Ephraim had been in many battles and been victorious in each of them. They were well known for their conquests and were very famous because of them. They were offended that they were not included in this one as well. Gideon, at this point, asks how anything he has done ever could compare to the many conquests Ephraim has completed. He gently reminds them that God has delivered many foe into their hands. He humbly reminds them they are where they are and have accomplished what they have because of God. Too many times we win so many battles and do so many great things that we forget that God is behind all those accomplishments. We did not do any of those things in our own power, but only through God’s power were we able to accomplish those things. We forget who helped us, who guided us and the purpose behind it. Too many times we take the credit for the blessings and miracles God has given us, having the mentality that we are our own savior, and if we aren't careful this can lead to pride, arrogance and idolism. We begin to idolize ourselves and take credit for accomplishments and miracles God has bestowed on us. We begin to commit idolatry in our hearts. We have all been guilty of this at some point in our life; mom, dad, brother, sister, pastor, deacon, that person on the worship team, the usher or greeter. It doesn't matter who you are or what role you are in, we are all capable of allowing pride to get the best of us. We must keep focus on the who, the one we are doing all those great things for, our father in Heaven, Lord and Savior. Without Him we are just broken people, lost, but with Him we are His children, redeemed, because of the sacrifice Jesus made on that cross for us, so we can live and be forgiven of all the sins we’ve committed and that we may have everlasting life in heaven with Him one day. We must remember He is why we have all we have and we serve a humble and gentle God. (Matthew 11:29) We are called to be like Christ. It’s time we remember our purpose and what God has called us to do. It’s time for us to become humble again and always remember we are where we are and have what we have because of God and at the end of the day it ALL belongs to Him.