It’s Not About You!

What was the change that took place in Hannah’s heart? She realized that the fulfillment of her dream wasn’t just about her. It was about God and His plan. I don’t know who came up with the saying, “It’s not about you,” but I like it, and I think it fits well with this teaching. Because when you are believing so intensely for something, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture.

Think about it. The story of Hannah took place in about 1150 B.C. At that time Israel was divided politically and experiencing moral decline and decay. People were asking, “Where are the great leaders God promised?” But not Hannah. She was in the midst of this troubled time, yet she was totally focused on her heart’s desire for a son. She wasn’t concerned with the lack of godly leadership. She just wanted a baby.

Sure God had placed that desire within her, but not just to fulfill her dream—God had a divine purpose. He needed to get a great leader to His chosen people. God did give Hannah the desire of her heart, but it was in order to get Samuel into the earth—the person who would eventually anoint King David—the lineage of Jesus! While Hannah thought she was believing for a son simply because she was unfulfilled, God’s plan was much bigger. Hannah’s faith impacted her own life, her family, Israel and the world!

 Think about the purpose of what you’re believing God to do in your life. If it’s a desire from God, it has a divine purpose. It’s not just about you. Yes, God loves you and He wants to bless you, but He has divine purpose in everything He does. Do you think if Hannah had known God’s divine purpose for her life and her child she would have wept so much? If I had only known what God had planned for John and me—would I have wept so much? I believed God for one child, and we not only had our daughter Courtney in 1993, but also Jonathan in April 2000 and Alexandria in February 2002. That’s overflow!

As I look at our children now, my heart is so full because I was like Hannah. I was that woman on my face before God, crying out for a child.

So I encourage you to never give up. Whether you’re believing God for a happy marriage, a healthy body or an increase in your finances—don’t give up. It is in you to desire goodness, and it is in God to manifest that goodness toward you. Give God something to work with—bulldog faith that is connected to a promise in the Word of God! Remember that God is no respecter of persons. Have the attitude that you aren’t letting go until you get what is yours in God’s Word, and get ready for your miracle! What God has done for others, He will surely do for you!