Jesus is the answer.  But what about you and me – sometimes I think I’m the answer, and I’ll bet you feel that way too.  After all, think how often we try to figure life out on our own. How we chase the mantra, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me. . . ”.

Yes, Me.  Me, myself and I.  In fact, the word “I” is one of the most used words in the world simply because so many of us think we have the answers. It’s almost impossible to have a conversation without saying, “I said,” “I thought,” “I went,” or “I want.” And after we’re out of breath from talking about ourselves, we say, “Enough talking about me, let’s talk about you – what do you think of me!”  This modern use of “I” is so predominant that we even name people and products this way:  i-Gen, i–Phone, i–Pad, I–payout, i–Mac, and so on. “I, I, I.”

So, of course, I want to talk about me. First thing to know about me is that I sin a lot. Even when I appear to be patient, I’m often churning with impatience. I’m plenty selfish and think about myself, my family, and my work – a lot. I’m still way too judgmental, love to open my big mouth and a whole lot more.

The fact that I’m a sinner puts me in good company with so many of the sinners in the Bible.

Even the great Apostle Paul, the man who wrote half of the New Testament, said, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (Rom 7:15 NLT).

Wow, Paul sounds like me. In the short passage of Romans 7:10-24, Paul uses the word, “I” 22 times as he describes how powerless he is against sin! He is wretched, and feels weak and ineffective as he cries out, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?”(Rom 7:24 NLT)

As committed as Paul was, he still could not do it on his own. Nor can you or me. Left to ourselves, we are lost. Who will free us from the sin which holds us down and beats us up?  “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:25 NLT). Yes! Amid all our worrying and striving and failing, Jesus is still the answer.  When the weight and worries of this world want to descend upon us, we can rest knowing that Jesus is the answer.

Please pray with me, “Dear Jesus, thank you for being our Savior. Thank you for freeing us from sin. Thank you for rescuing us. Thank you for taking the horrible punishment that we deserve upon yourself. Thank you for defeating death. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for being the answer.  Lord Jesus, we give our hearts to you today, and claim your victory. Amen!”