“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”

                                                                                                            Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

I grew up reading cartoons in the Sunday newspaper – the funny paper. One of my favorite cartoons has always been Family Circus by Bil Keane. I even had the opportunity to meet him after becoming a teacher and he personalized a cartoon for me. Safe to say – I am a fan. 

I think I was drawn (no pun intended) to Family Circus because it depicted life’s real messes through a typical family. The kids weren’t perfect, and neither were the parents but love always prevailed. 

Occasionally in the comic, ‘Not Me’ would be featured.  The mom or dad are searching for who owned the muddy footprints in the house or who broke something and each family member when asked states, “Not Me.” The children actually visualized this imaginary culprit. 

Growing into adulthood, I discovered Not Me wasn’t only in Family Circus. As it turns out, he (or she) is everywhere. Sometimes that can be a good thing but sometimes it isn’t. 

The way I see it, there are three faces of Not Me. 

There is the Not Me when avoiding blame. 

“I didn’t do it.”

Or Not Me when it’s time to volunteer at church or in the community. There must be someone else, right? 

“I can’t do it.”

Or the Not Me who draws a line in the sand.

            “I won’t do it.”

There is an easy way to rid ourselves of the negative Not Me. We can eliminate the three faces of Not Me in our daily lives and replace it with one – the One who makes our lives more content and meaningful.

“It is God who works in you …” (Philippians 2:13)

            Not me but God through me.

Serving on a committee at church. 

            Not me but God through me.

Giving time on the weekend to volunteer at a shelter.

            Not me but God through me.

Using a talent for teaching in small groups at church.

            Not me but God through me.

Using the gift of service by cleaning up after an event.

            Not me but God through me.

Today, consider turning the negative Not Me in your life into the positive One.

            “…to will and to act in order to fulfill [God’s] good purpose.”  Philippians 2:13

Dear Lord,

When I find myself quick to say Not Me, remind me of my purpose – Your purpose for me. 

Help me to begin to change the face of the negative Not Me in my life to better fulfill Your will and purpose for me. 

Amen.