Pronoun Problem July 19, 2014

fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) 

I looking back over my life, I realize that my mistakes, miscues, and missteps have been a result of pronoun misuse.

"I" will do such and so.  "I" will quit this or that.  "I" will start to A or B.  The writer of Isaiah points out that it is God who does all things.

"He" is with me.  "He" is my God.  "He" will strengthen.  "He" will help me.  "He" will uphold me.

My failures come as a result of my trying to control or direct the situation.  It is my arrogance, my hubris that results in failure.  

How utterly laughable to think that I have within me the power to make any effectual, long-term changes.  Sure I might be able to self-correct small things or make limited changes, but foundational, life-altering modifications are only possible with God's intervention.

A Google search of "important words to know" came up with this list (among others):

• 20 Words You Should Learn if You Play Scrabble
• 100 Spanish Words You Need to Know
• The 10 Most Powerful Words in Advertising
• The Three Most Important Words in Energy
• 10 Most Important Words in Any Loving Relationship
• The Three Most Important Words in a Relationship

Perhaps the FOUR most important words in our relationship with God are, "I Can't.  You Can."

Let's get our pronouns straight.