Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. (Jeremiah 45:5)
There was a time when I sought greatness for myself. Oh, I sought it in my service to my God, but I did not realize it was the wrong “greatness” to be seeking. Today, I am a whole lot older and a little bit wiser; today I seek great things for God and leave the rest up to Him. This is the proper perspective for the child of God.
It must be the goal of the disciple of Christ to make God known in everything we say and do. To seek personal recognition or the applause of man is not the characteristic of the disciple of Christ; it is the mark of the worldling. When we find any applause coming our way, we are to point to the One who is the reason for our recognition. It is God who is to be honored. It is God who is to be exalted. It is God who is to be glorified. The true disciple of Christ sees the applause of man not as an honor, but as a hindrance to the fulfillment of the holy work that has been assigned from on high.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ . . . (Philippians 3:8)
These are the words of someone who sought greatness for His God, not great things for himself. Paul knew who he was before Jesus showed up (a sinner in need of a Savior), and he knew who he was after Jesus showed up (still a sinner in moment-by-moment need of a Savior). Paul gave God all the credit for anything he did worth crediting. Never did he seek the applause of man because he knew he already had the approval of God.
What are you seeking today? Whether your service to your God is noticed by many or unnoticed by all, God is not seeking “great” people to serve Him. Rather, God is seeking those men and women who will allow God to manifest Himself greatly in them – for His glory and the good of all those they come in contact with. Are you one of those people?
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 