ALL MEN ARE COMING TO HIM!
And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan to whom you bore witness-look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." John 3:26
Our broken fellowship with God in the garden of Eden caused many ills inside of us. One is a lack of significance. Without being connected to the One who loves me so completely that I can be whole, I look to the god of this world, even within the church, to find out where I fit, where I can shine. Oh, what a dead end street that is.
Jesus and John had parallel ministries. Each was making disciples and baptizing. As with the followers of any great leader, their disciples started comparing them. Who had the bigger following? Why was it bigger? Was the other's popularity going to cause the demise of the lesser minister? These are the questions of hell. I can sugarcoat them and say, 'They are just carnal questions.' But, if I look at their fruit, I am left with the unmistakable fingerprints of evil. Insecurity, unholy competition, torment, even slander.
These comparisons are alive in Christian industry as well. Executives sign a new artist or author and immediately begin to pit one against another. They point to the ones who are already successful and encourage the new ones on the block to mimic whatever has worked to ensure the greatness of industry heroes. Put a room full of high profile Christian 'stars' together and fellowship is often absent. Each is too threatened by the next to be authentic.
What cures insignificance? Can a pastor of sixty members hold his head high while fellowshipping with a pastor of a mega church? Only if each man is well connected to His Father and has heard his own unique call. There is nothing sadder than to be a ministry leader who follows the trends, who lives and dies by his critics. This kind of deadly game playing is not just relegated to high profile people either.
You and I can be saved from such torment. The voices of this world, even the church world, must be hushed by a stronger Voice. The Holy Spirit wants to speak to me, daily, about His perfect will for me. There are things only I can do in the kingdom and when I ask God to empower my gifts to work within His plan for me, I know joy and complete security. Whether I teach ten or a thousand, I see the move of God upon my audience because He has called me to speak on His behalf - for such a time as this.
Jesus said, "Follow me!" No man deserves my allegiance for He is not my creator nor does he enjoy sovereign rule over my future.
Carve out my place today, Lord. I will stay close to You so that I can discern it. I love where You lead me. Amen
