Our true motives for doing thing often surface when it is time for credits… How much they mean to us is often a window into the “why” we do things. I think John the Baptist was clear on why he did what he did and never lost sight of it.
7-8As he preached he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.” (Mark 1:7, The Message)
It is important for us to realize that in serving God, the significance we seek is Him glorified and revealed to the world, not our name in lights. Our is that of merely setting the stage and “creating a platform” for God to “appear” and change lives.
We cannot change people’s lives and God does not require us to! All He needs us is to be is the platform creators for His working in people’s lives by testifying of who He is and that He longs to have life-changing and intimate relationships with people.
When attention is (sometimes repeatedly) drawn to us we should always hastily turn all attention to God, the one who does the transforming and life giving work in people’s lives.
We all want our contribution or work recognized and acknowledged, but if it comes instead of or at the expense of Christ being recognized and being revealed to people, could it be we’ve joined the enemy’s camp?! I say this because the enemy’s goal is to not only keep people from Christ but draw attention away from Him. Like John the Baptist remember that you are not the reason but Christ is! As we serve Christ remember we serve Him not ourselves!
true! a lot of times people get frustrated that they are not changing others and forget that it is not their job to do that.
i concur… as we serve God by reaching people it is not our work to change people but God's. Our focus should be creating an opportunity for them to freely reach out to God and allow HIM to do His thing ;-)