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 one to say- 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. 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 competition and over use the word "anointing" so much that it is reduced to something sticky you can get out of a jar. 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? Is the land merely being entertained?
We see the praise and adoration that is lavished upon people, the lifestyles the media makes us believe they live, and decide, "I want that, too". We forget how to answer to our own names, and heap upon ourselves titles that we think trump the latest one. 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?
There are so many ceilings we seek to break in order to make our names great in the earth. We look at the entrance rules, requirements and processes and call them political, exclusive, void of integrity, fraught with nepotism and favoritism, unfair, unorganized, too worldly, tacky, compromising, biased, racially motivated, ungodly, and unnecessary---but we still want in. Then, to our surprise, efforts are launched to level the playing field, and make it more "fair" and easily accessible for the little guy. No longer will the same people be elevated and celebrated year after year. Now the plain folks have a chance. There's a mission, then, to seek out the best and the brightest outside of the usual clique. 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?
When doors swing open, for whatever reason, will many soon become the very thing they used to hate? Will they exhibit the same 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 forget the Lord? Will they be devastated to find that the same people and process 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. 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".
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. 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 competition and over use the word "anointing" so much that it is reduced to something sticky you can get out of a jar. 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? Is the land merely being entertained?
We see the praise and adoration that is lavished upon people, the lifestyles the media makes us believe they live, and decide, "I want that, too". We forget how to answer to our own names, and heap upon ourselves titles that we think trump the latest one. 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?
There are so many ceilings we seek to break in order to make our names great in the earth. We look at the entrance rules, requirements and processes and call them political, exclusive, void of integrity, fraught with nepotism and favoritism, unfair, unorganized, too worldly, tacky, compromising, biased, racially motivated, ungodly, and unnecessary---but we still want in. Then, to our surprise, efforts are launched to level the playing field, and make it more "fair" and easily accessible for the little guy. No longer will the same people be elevated and celebrated year after year. Now the plain folks have a chance. There's a mission, then, to seek out the best and the brightest outside of the usual clique. 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?
When doors swing open, for whatever reason, will many soon become the very thing they used to hate? Will they exhibit the same 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 forget the Lord? Will they be devastated to find that the same people and process 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. 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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