Over a decade ago, Pastor Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, which went viral and global. I still give it away all the time as a basic primer on life as God intended it to be lived. And this best-selling book starts with a single line that polarizes and leaves no room for negotiation on a single point…

It’s not about you.

I’ve grown the deepest in seasons when God uses circumstances to remind me of this simple fact. Life isn’t about my happiness, health, or wealth. It’s about God’s good pleasure and glory.

Romans 11:33 says, “Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.” (MSG).

You can believe this or not. You’re free to disagree. But this much is true: Life doesn’t make sense until you realize it’s all for God.

God, in his goodness, is good to us. Why? Because it brings him both pleasure and glory. And when we, as feeble creatures, feast our hearts upon his goodness and grace, he is glorified and exalted in the earth.

When we relate rightly to our Creator, joy results. And when I find my joy in my relationship with Him, everything else starts to make sense.

If it were about me, I’d expect God to fix all of my circumstances. But it’s about him, and he’s more interested in growing my character.

If it were about me, it would be unfair to have to wait for gratification. But it’s about him, so his timing is what matters, and he is set on developing patience in me.

If it were about me, I would need to worry about making sure everyone around me likes me. But it’s about him, so his approval is all that matters.

If it were about me, I’d go crazy trying to do all the things I think are important. But it’s about him, so his simple agenda – his perfect will, is all I’m responsible for. And his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.

At the end of the day, the most important thing you can realize about life is that it isn’t about you. It’s about the One who made you to love you, to make you his, and to make you holy.