Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Who Am I?

One of my favorite Christian bands is Casting Crowns. I enjoy keeping up with them because they’re from my hometown, but I also just love them because of their songs’ power.

It’s hard for me to choose a favorite song, but one of my top picks from their first CD is “Who Am I?” The lyrics ask about how and why God should care about and know every detail of our lives – who are we to deserve that? The answer, of course, is that we’re nobody – but then that’s also the point of the song. As part of the chorus says, “Not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done … Not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are.”

One day as I really pondered the words instead of belting them out, a different perspective struck me. Who am I, that God would call me to write and speak for Him? Who am I, that He would choose to plant seeds in my heart that will only grow when I share the message with others? Who am I, to be sent when there are so many other, much more qualified ones for the job?

I’m a nobody. A person who enjoys writing, speaking and teaching but who knows she’s leagues below other writers, speakers and teachers. But I’m also a person who knows she must write, speak and teach – even if no one else ever sees or hears the words. The things He tells me must come out or I’ll implode (and that would not be a pretty sight)!

Each time I prepare to write (or teach or speak) I’m awestruck and humbled by the One who has called me to this task. Why does He call me to this work? Why does He call you? I don’t know, but He does. And, thankfully, it’s not because of who I am or what I’ve done … it’s all because of who He is and what He has done.

That’s one of the biggest wonders of my life. How about you?

5 comments:

Erica Vetsch said...

Who am I is my favorite CC song too. I think I've worn that groove out on my CD.

Thank you for these thoughts today.

Catherine West said...

Definitely one of my all time favorites! I love Casting Crowns too. Who am I indeed? I know the feeling.
Facing down a ginormous rewrite that's scaring the dickens out of me, I'm asking who am I? Can I really do this? Do I have what it takes?
Maybe not. But God does. And He'll help me, strengthen me, and give me wisdom to write just the way He wants me to. I am His!

Audra Marie said...

I'm a fan of Casting Crowns, too. :)

I love this thought: "And, thankfully, it’s not because of who I am or what I’ve done … it’s all because of who He is and what He has done."

I'm so glad it isn't about me.

AngBreidenbach said...

I love Casting Crowns too. I think I've finally found who I am. I am a child of God who wants to live the dreams he put inside of me.
Angie

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Thanks for sharing this thought, Leigh. I suddenly have the urge to put my Casting Crowns CD in the CD player. Love their music...love this song's message. It's so true that it's not about us but all about Him. With that perspective, who can go wrong? :-)