Who Am I?

Are you blessed?  When the temperatures fall in the winter, do you consider the warmth of your home a blessing?  When the summer heats up and the sun beats down on you, do you find the comfort of your oscillating fan a blessing?

All too often we find ourselves living in an self-satisfying world.  The young teenage boy opens the refrigerator expecting it to be filled with food (though he may hold the door open for 15 minutes trying to decide what he wants).  When we flip the light switch in the hall we expect instant illumination.  We turn on the shower and become frustrated when it takes too long for the water to heat up. In short…we expect favorable results.  But why do we think this way?  Who am I to assume that just because I expect things to be a certain way they will be?  Unfortunately we are living in a time (a culture) of entitlement.  When we once cherished what we had, now we expect it…and more.  The university graduate, with diploma in hand, expecting a 6 figure income.  Many not wanting to work their way to the top, but rather expecting to automatically be placed there.  The young family moving into their first home?  Make that a 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 2-car garage, because, “Hey, I deserve it…” But what really do I deserve? It’s probably not what I would expect.

During the last several months many have shared with me this song made popular by Rusty Goodman in 1965.  Many years ago I remember hearing Elvis Presley sing this song, but it never sounded as strong as it does in this arrangement. Sung by the “Alter of Praise Chorale” in 2010, this song speaks to the blessing we have in a Christ. Notice the words, then listen to the human voice sing this song of humility and reverence.

Oh when I think of how He left His home in glory
Came and dwelt among the lowly such as I
To suffer shame and such disgrace on Mount Calvary
Take my place then I ask myself a question, “Who am I?”

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray “not my will, Thine Lord?”
The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He’d go for who am I?

When I’m reminded of His words, I’ll leave Him never
If you’ll be true I’ll give to you life forever
Oh, I wonder what I could have done to deserve God’s only Son
To fight my battles until they’re won for who am I?

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thy Lord?
The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so
But to an old rugged cross He’d go for who am I?
But to an old rugged cross He’d go for who am I?

Paul’s inspired words to the church in Rome remind me that I am a blessed man.  We don’t deserve anything good, but we have been given the best gift ever.  Who am I to be the recipient of such an honor?  Why would God look down on me and have mercy on me, a sinner.  You’ve heard the song written some 47 years ago, but now read the inspired words penned some 2000 years ago and ask yourself…who am I?  “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

Enjoy the blessings God has given you.  The warmth of your home when the cold air is swirling around; the cool side of the pillow on the hot summer night, and best of all…the assurance that God has given us the greatest gift of all time.