The I Test

In light of the “election cycle” coming to a close, what can we take away and personally learn to apply from the past several months of partisan incessant narcissism disguised as impartial patriotism?

Take this challenge: The “I” Test.

First, pay attention this week to how many times you use the word “I.”

Second, pay attention to how you use the word “I.”

The sole purpose of the word is to point the hearer back to the communicator. This can, of course, be, as is too often the case, some self-centered plea such as …

I need.

I want.

I think.

Or it can be others-centered as in …

I will.

I can.

I promise.

(Provided, of course, these are spoken from a sincere heart, which only time can prove.)

One of my constantly threaded themes over the years with this blog is to take the cultural news we are constantly bombarded with that tempts us to take sides, judge, point fingers, and degrade and turn it back on ourselves to question, change, grow, and mature.

If we don’t like the way something sounds, looks, or feels, then first evaluate how much we involve ourselves with the same thing.

Allow only the Unchanging One to change us. Because John 3:30 is still the goal line.

This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines. (MSG)

Jesus must become more important, while I become less important. (CEV)

 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. (TLB, NLT)

He, the groom, must take center stage; and I, the best man, must step to His side. (VOICE)