--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Not exactly, but I'm learning that this…" description: "\"“Not exactly, but I'm learning that this life isn't about me anyway nor is it about what I want out of it. Following Christ is about surrender and fait..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/melanie-dobson-26597_faith_not-exactly-but-i-m-learning-that-this-l_1998773.jpg" --- # Not exactly, but I'm learning that this life isn't about… ![“Not exactly, but I'm learning that this life isn't about me anyway nor is it about what I want out of it. Following Christ is about surrender and faith and about God working through me instead of me working for God.” quote by Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/melanie-dobson-26597_faith_not-exactly-but-i-m-learning-that-this-l_1998773.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/melanie-dobson-26597_faith_not-exactly-but-i-m-learning-that-this-l_1998773.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/melanie-dobson-26597_faith_not-exactly-but-i-m-learning-that-this-l_1998773.jpg) > ““Not exactly, but I'm learning that this life isn't about me anyway nor is it about what I want out of it. Following Christ is about surrender and faith and about God working through me instead of me working for God.”” [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True fulfillment comes from surrendering personal desire and allowing divine purpose to guide actions. **In simple terms:** Surrender to divine purpose. Key Takeaway Trust and serve higher purpose. Themes faith humility surrender Mood contemplative spiritual Type religious inspirational When to use this quote - church service - volunteering - personal prayer - daily decisions Key Concepts theology spirituality selflessness Questions to Reflect On - How does surrender affect your daily choices? - What does trusting God mean to you? A Different Perspective Self-sacrifice may lead to burnout if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christ Surrender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ-surrender-3504813/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Following](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/following/) [Following christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/following-christ/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Surrender Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surrender-faith-1172259/) [Working for god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-for-god/) ## Related quotes > [If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/if-you-don-t-surrender-to-christ-you-surrender-to-chaos/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [In his (Christ's) surrender on the cross all the pain and agony of mankind was concentrated at a single point, and passed through from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bede-griffiths/in-his-christ-s-surrender-on-the-cross-all-the-pain-and-agony-of/) [Bede Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bede-griffiths/) > [Never surrender, it's all about the faith you got: don't ever stop, just push it 'till you hit the top and if you drop,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/never-surrender-it-s-all-about-the-faith-you-got-don-t-ever-stop-just/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [Spiritually, no action is more important than surrender. Surrender is the tenderest impulse of the heart, acting out of love to give whatever the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/spiritually-no-action-is-more-important-than-surrender-surrender-is/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Surrender is faith that the power of Love can accomplish anything even when you cannot forsee the outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/surrender-is-faith-that-the-power-of-love-can-accomplish-anything/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“True emotional healing lies somewhere between intentional choices and divine intervention, a junction of surrender, faith, trust, and action.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-ann-fore/true-emotional-healing-lies-somewhere-between-intentional-choices-and/) [Jo Ann Fore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-ann-fore/) > [Never surrender, it's all about the faith that you got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/never-surrender-it-s-all-about-the-faith-that-you-got/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [“We do not merely add Jesus Christ to our lives and continue in the same direction. Following Christ means we stop, turn around, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/we-do-not-merely-add-jesus-christ-to-our-lives-and-continue-in-the/) [Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/) > [“the New Testament does not talk about human beings furthering or spreading or building up or working for God’s reign. Human efforts to achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-goldingay/the-new-testament-does-not-talk-about-human-beings-furthering-or/) [John E. Goldingay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-goldingay/) > [“THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT! Sometimes, smug times When I’m talking about God When I’m praying about God When I’m working for God, Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-savage/that-s-not-what-i-meant-sometimes-smug-times-when-i-m-talking-about/) [John Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-savage/) > [Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-the-apostle/whatever-you-do-work-at-it-with-all-your-heart/) [Paul the Apostle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-the-apostle/) > [“It is forgiveness that sets a man working for God. He does not work in order to be forgiven, but because he has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatius-bonar/it-is-forgiveness-that-sets-a-man-working-for-god-he-does-not-work-in/) [Horatius Bonar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatius-bonar/) > [“It is forgiveness that sets a man working for God. He does not work in order to be forgiven, but because he has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatius-bonar/it-is-forgiveness-that-sets-a-man-working-for-god-he-does-not-work-in-2/) [Horatius Bonar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatius-bonar/) > [If science exterminates a disease which has been working for God, it is God that gets the credit and all the pulpits break into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-science-exterminates-a-disease-which-has-been-working-for-god-it/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [God's work is not man working for God; it is God's own work, though often wrought through man's hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-taylor/god-s-work-is-not-man-working-for-god-it-is-god-s-own-work-though/) [Hudson Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hudson-taylor/) ## More by Melanie Dobson > [“The hill between the manor and forest displayed layers of Lady Croft's prized gardens. Paved pathways wove through a formal Italian garden, rose garden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/the-hill-between-the-manor-and-forest-displayed-layers-of-lady-croft/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“That's what she wanted more than anything. To be free of her anger. Wounds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/that-s-what-she-wanted-more-than-anything-to-be-free-of-her-anger/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“When she was a child, she'd often wondered about the old manor. Some said the place was haunted, but she thought it mysterious. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/when-she-was-a-child-she-d-often-wondered-about-the-old-manor-some/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“He unzipped the nylon case, and inside was a discolored frame that smelled like smoke. A thin layer of soot covered the painting under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/he-unzipped-the-nylon-case-and-inside-was-a-discolored-frame-that/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“With all the flourishes and flowers, these pictures seemed to be created by a young woman anyway. At least one who was young at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/with-all-the-flourishes-and-flowers-these-pictures-seemed-to-be/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“With a quick thank-you, I focused my attention on the pastry he brought. The flavors melted in my mouth- warm chocolate and melted butter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/with-a-quick-thank-you-i-focused-my-attention-on-the-pastry-he/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“With my wet hair wrapped in a towel, I retrieved the tray of food, placed it on the coffee table, and breathed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/with-my-wet-hair-wrapped-in-a-towel-i-retrieved-the-tray-of-food/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“She returned to the floor, and a tray appeared beside her with a sandwich, glass of milk, and some cubes of cantaloupe. She didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/she-returned-to-the-floor-and-a-tray-appeared-beside-her-with-a/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“Christopher Westcott slowly drank his pint of ale at the Bird and Baby, as locals liked to call the Eagle and Child, and basked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/christopher-westcott-slowly-drank-his-pint-of-ale-at-the-bird-and/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“The title on the front of the sketchbook was written in bold cursive: 'Libby's Book of Butterflies.' One of the edges was folded, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/the-title-on-the-front-of-the-sketchbook-was-written-in-bold-cursive/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“In seconds, the room flooded with wide-eyed girls wanting to meet the artist of the butterfly stories. Stories about healing and redemption. Love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/in-seconds-the-room-flooded-with-wide-eyed-girls-wanting-to-meet-the/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“Ella woke again as they entered the picturesque village of Bibury. A stone bridge arched over the placid River Coln, and Ella craned her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/ella-woke-again-as-they-entered-the-picturesque-village-of-bibury-a/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“He cleared our bowls and replaced my soup with a plate of creamy chicken with baby potatoes, carrots, and leeks. In front of Riley,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/he-cleared-our-bowls-and-replaced-my-soup-with-a-plate-of-creamy/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“Quickly she shredded the cabbage on the chopping block and tossed it along with the onion and tomatoes in a blue Pyrex bowl. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/quickly-she-shredded-the-cabbage-on-the-chopping-block-and-tossed-it/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) > [“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. THOMAS PAINE, THE AMERICAN CRISIS, 1776”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dobson/what-we-obtain-too-cheap-we-esteem-too-lightly-it-is-dearness-only/) [Melanie Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) [Explore all 21 Melanie Dobson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dobson/) ## More Faith quotes > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) [Riffat Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riffat-hassan/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) [Matt Morris (1](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-morris-1/) > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) [Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Not exactly, but I'm learning that this life isn't about me anyway nor is it about what I want out of it. 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