The insatiable desire to be recognized, applauded, admired and rewarded is not new. Cain killed his brother because of it. Miriam and Aaron murmured about Moses. Leah was the poster child for validation seekers everywhere. Jacob and Esau's issues are still being hashed out to this day. Even Jesus has a few disciples who were looking for a hook-up so badly that their mother got in on the action.
The pleas are heard in every arena from politics to entertainment to social networking, to the House of God. "Vote for me", "Nominate me", "Support me", "Look at me", "Follow me", "Elevate me", "Love me!". Even as children, we always knew when we sang, "...and I, if I be lifted up from the Earth, I'll draw all men unto me", was referring to the crucifixion of Jesus, and the redemptive power of His blood. Lately, it seems, that the song has been hijacked by many who want to be great in Jesus' name; great using His name; but have absolutely no intention to give Him the glory that is due to His name. Many want so desperately to be recognized and lifted up. However, there's more than light in the spotlight. There's extreme heat and scrutiny--the same kind that caused at least ten of Jesus' disciples to run for their lives, and for one to declare--with attitude--that he never knew Jesus at all.
When they sought to be elevated, Jesus asked his two anxious, star- struck disciples if they knew what they were asking for, and if they could handle it. They eagerly said that they could. Little did they know they'd invited suffering, persecution, rejection and pain into their lives, and signed up for a horrible death. Jesus wasn't the rock star/ king they'd hoped he'd be.
So many want to be lifted up in the earth. Having a talent or special ability and doing it well is not a crime. Wanting to share it with others isn't, either. If you can make a living doing what you love, it's a wonderful thing! There was a time, perhaps, when the mission of many was solely to point others to God. Are we concerned about souls any more, or are our efforts merely to bring attention and accolades to ourselves? Is there more reverence being shown to personalities than God? We turn ministry into a competitive, contact sport, and over use the word "anointing" so much that it is reduced to something sticky you can get out of a jar at a CVS near you.
What's happening? Are we singing the Lord's songs in a strange land, or singing strange songs in a land that is still in desperate need of a Savior?
The Word of God is on track. Everything it says will happen; everything it says we will do, say, and see manifests itself with regularity. Should we ever be surprised and judgmental, or just keep ourselves prepared to dish out as much mercy and forgiveness and love as we can muster--just in case we find ourselves caught up in a mess?
We see the praise and adoration that is lavished upon people, the carefree lifestyles the media makes us believe they live, and decide, "I want that, too". What we don't see are dysfunctional families, addictions, heartbreak, loss and even death. We forget how to answer to our own names, and heap upon ourselves titles that we think trump the latest one. How soon before "Grand Poobah" is no longer a funny title from the Flintstones? What happens when we run out of titles, awards, and rewards? God is no respecter of persons, but we sure are! We want to be "in" so badly, but in what? Kanye's outburst wasn't shocking. We've been doing that from the comfort of our homes and sofas for years. It's just that no one heard us.
There are so many ceilings we seek to break in order to make our names great in the earth. The same organization that will dog and dismiss an individual one day, will welcome that same individual the next. Business is what one does regularly and for profit. When it comes to profit, whatever and whomever works is the order of the day. It's no accident that banks hire bank robbers to assist them in the implementation of security systems....
We look at entrance rules, requirements and processes for the clubs we want to enter, and when we can't get in, we accuse them of being political, exclusive, void of integrity, fraught with nepotism and favoritism, unfair, unorganized, too worldly, tacky, compromising, biased, racially motivated, ungodly, picky, selective, exclusionary, and unnecessary---but we still want in. Being the apple of God's eye is not enough. Being beloved and accepted by Him is not enough. We need to be validated by people, who throughout history have a propensity to be fickle. We keep plugging along, say we don't care about being included and celebrated, but in our hearts we still desire to be a part of the "in" crowd. The "in" crowd, however, has moved on to bigger and better opportunities and no longer needs the catalyst that launched them.
Suddenly, efforts are initiated to level the playing field, and make it more "fair" and easily accessible for the little guy. This is no magnanimous gesture. It's a survival technique to keep the catalyst alive. The "Who's Who" people figured it out. Feed on the vanity of people and you can sell books. Tell them they've been selected and recognized for their accomplishments, and they'll launch an annoying campaign to enlist others to buy the books, too.
No longer will the same people be elevated and celebrated year after year. Now the plain folks have a chance to shine. As a matter of fact, everybody has a shot--worthy or not. There's a mission, then, to seek out the best and the brightest outside of the usual clique. Truth is, the usual clique knows the game and doesn't really care to play any more. Suddenly, many who used to bemoan the process, and hate on the regulars, are "in". How easily we forget that there was a time when no one knew who the regulars were, either. When the whining stops--- "I can do that, too. I'm talented, too. I'm just as good as so-and-so. How can I get in?"---When it stops, will it be replaced with pompous rhetoric and self serving speech? Will the cause of Christ take a back seat to the rewards of men--who can take back their rewards at any time?
When doors swing open, for whatever reason, will many soon become the very thing they used to hate and complain about? Will they exhibit the same snooty behaviors they used to ridicule? Will they bow to the process, dance to the music, and slowly lay down the standards they used to hold so dearly before they got "in"? Will they be devastated to find that the same people and processes they hope will make them great, are not the least bit interested in the cause of Christ, but have a reputation of greatness to maintain of their own? King Nebuchadnezzar sought out the best and the brightest to groom and refine, but he was just as prepared to kill them and their talented selves if they did not bow.
Whose approval do we seek? In whom do we place our hope? Who or what is getting the glory in our lives? Can we honestly sing, 'My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand"?
What a horrible pity it would be to spend a lifetime doing things" in the name of Jesus", be known and celebrated by men, then hear the only One whose opinion matters, say the crushing words, "I never knew you".
The pleas are heard in every arena from politics to entertainment to social networking, to the House of God. "Vote for me", "Nominate me", "Support me", "Look at me", "Follow me", "Elevate me", "Love me!". Even as children, we always knew when we sang, "...and I, if I be lifted up from the Earth, I'll draw all men unto me", was referring to the crucifixion of Jesus, and the redemptive power of His blood. Lately, it seems, that the song has been hijacked by many who want to be great in Jesus' name; great using His name; but have absolutely no intention to give Him the glory that is due to His name. Many want so desperately to be recognized and lifted up. However, there's more than light in the spotlight. There's extreme heat and scrutiny--the same kind that caused at least ten of Jesus' disciples to run for their lives, and for one to declare--with attitude--that he never knew Jesus at all.
When they sought to be elevated, Jesus asked his two anxious, star- struck disciples if they knew what they were asking for, and if they could handle it. They eagerly said that they could. Little did they know they'd invited suffering, persecution, rejection and pain into their lives, and signed up for a horrible death. Jesus wasn't the rock star/ king they'd hoped he'd be.
So many want to be lifted up in the earth. Having a talent or special ability and doing it well is not a crime. Wanting to share it with others isn't, either. If you can make a living doing what you love, it's a wonderful thing! There was a time, perhaps, when the mission of many was solely to point others to God. Are we concerned about souls any more, or are our efforts merely to bring attention and accolades to ourselves? Is there more reverence being shown to personalities than God? We turn ministry into a competitive, contact sport, and over use the word "anointing" so much that it is reduced to something sticky you can get out of a jar at a CVS near you.
What's happening? Are we singing the Lord's songs in a strange land, or singing strange songs in a land that is still in desperate need of a Savior?
The Word of God is on track. Everything it says will happen; everything it says we will do, say, and see manifests itself with regularity. Should we ever be surprised and judgmental, or just keep ourselves prepared to dish out as much mercy and forgiveness and love as we can muster--just in case we find ourselves caught up in a mess?
We see the praise and adoration that is lavished upon people, the carefree lifestyles the media makes us believe they live, and decide, "I want that, too". What we don't see are dysfunctional families, addictions, heartbreak, loss and even death. We forget how to answer to our own names, and heap upon ourselves titles that we think trump the latest one. How soon before "Grand Poobah" is no longer a funny title from the Flintstones? What happens when we run out of titles, awards, and rewards? God is no respecter of persons, but we sure are! We want to be "in" so badly, but in what? Kanye's outburst wasn't shocking. We've been doing that from the comfort of our homes and sofas for years. It's just that no one heard us.
There are so many ceilings we seek to break in order to make our names great in the earth. The same organization that will dog and dismiss an individual one day, will welcome that same individual the next. Business is what one does regularly and for profit. When it comes to profit, whatever and whomever works is the order of the day. It's no accident that banks hire bank robbers to assist them in the implementation of security systems....
We look at entrance rules, requirements and processes for the clubs we want to enter, and when we can't get in, we accuse them of being political, exclusive, void of integrity, fraught with nepotism and favoritism, unfair, unorganized, too worldly, tacky, compromising, biased, racially motivated, ungodly, picky, selective, exclusionary, and unnecessary---but we still want in. Being the apple of God's eye is not enough. Being beloved and accepted by Him is not enough. We need to be validated by people, who throughout history have a propensity to be fickle. We keep plugging along, say we don't care about being included and celebrated, but in our hearts we still desire to be a part of the "in" crowd. The "in" crowd, however, has moved on to bigger and better opportunities and no longer needs the catalyst that launched them.
Suddenly, efforts are initiated to level the playing field, and make it more "fair" and easily accessible for the little guy. This is no magnanimous gesture. It's a survival technique to keep the catalyst alive. The "Who's Who" people figured it out. Feed on the vanity of people and you can sell books. Tell them they've been selected and recognized for their accomplishments, and they'll launch an annoying campaign to enlist others to buy the books, too.
No longer will the same people be elevated and celebrated year after year. Now the plain folks have a chance to shine. As a matter of fact, everybody has a shot--worthy or not. There's a mission, then, to seek out the best and the brightest outside of the usual clique. Truth is, the usual clique knows the game and doesn't really care to play any more. Suddenly, many who used to bemoan the process, and hate on the regulars, are "in". How easily we forget that there was a time when no one knew who the regulars were, either. When the whining stops--- "I can do that, too. I'm talented, too. I'm just as good as so-and-so. How can I get in?"---When it stops, will it be replaced with pompous rhetoric and self serving speech? Will the cause of Christ take a back seat to the rewards of men--who can take back their rewards at any time?
When doors swing open, for whatever reason, will many soon become the very thing they used to hate and complain about? Will they exhibit the same snooty behaviors they used to ridicule? Will they bow to the process, dance to the music, and slowly lay down the standards they used to hold so dearly before they got "in"? Will they be devastated to find that the same people and processes they hope will make them great, are not the least bit interested in the cause of Christ, but have a reputation of greatness to maintain of their own? King Nebuchadnezzar sought out the best and the brightest to groom and refine, but he was just as prepared to kill them and their talented selves if they did not bow.
Whose approval do we seek? In whom do we place our hope? Who or what is getting the glory in our lives? Can we honestly sing, 'My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand"?
What a horrible pity it would be to spend a lifetime doing things" in the name of Jesus", be known and celebrated by men, then hear the only One whose opinion matters, say the crushing words, "I never knew you".
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