So Jesus called them all together to him and said, “You know those who are rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. This, however, is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to be great, he must be the servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be first, he must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.” Mark 10.42-45 GNBUK
I don’t think there is anything more disheartening than to see someone who is supposed to be in a leadership role within the Christian community not honor their commitment to God the way that they should. That should go for any of us really, because we are to serve Him wholeheartedly and unselfishly. However, with the ever-growing community of those that are self-proclaiming to be this or that, and with the slacking off of the moral righteousness within so many church walls just to build numbers verses growing what is already there, yeah…
Friends, when did it become about us and what we wanted or needed? I am thoroughly confused on this. When did it become about us being applauded, garnering recognition, obtaining the pat on the back, or being rewarded for what takes place within His house? Since when do we sign up to follow Him just to be adored, admired or applauded? Since when do we stand at the pulpit and take the credit that solely belongs to Him and Him alone?
How can we sit and watch those in leadership roles stand up there and disgrace Him by placing such a priority on themselves over Him. People come to experience His presence, not their presence. And it would seem that entirely too many “leaders” have forgotten this as their over inflated egos need to be brought back to where their feet are firmly back upon the ground.
When we gave ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12.1), and when we decide to devote our whole selves to Him, and when we entered into a covenant with Him through baptism, we made the choice to put Him above ourselves, in every and all ways, every time and at all times.
So, can someone please help me understand why there are so many out here demanding recognition for their role in the kingdom? Wanting a pat on the back for completing what they signed up to do? So many of y’all are out here prancing around acting like you are somebody, but the lack of respect and overabundance in pride and ego tell me that you are full of the wrong fruit and maybe you need to re-evaluate your stance and your heart in your walk with Him.
“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son….” and here you are demanding the respect of everyone just because you show up on Sundays, or because you have a title to in front of your name. What else are YOU giving unto the Kingdom? Not your members, associates, partners, friends… YOU? Just because you “earned” that title doesn’t give you the grace to dishonor our Lord by putting Him beneath yourself.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15.58 NIV
“John answered, “No one can have anything unless God gives it to him. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ The bridegroom is the one to whom the bride belongs, but the bridegroom’s friend, who stands by and listens, is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This is how my own happiness is made complete. He must become more important while I become less important.” John 3.27-30 GNBUK
“He must become more important while I become less important.” If you were to ever let a verse resonate and sink in, let it be this one. Truly I tell you this is the one that I believe so many today are lacking. In the NIV version it states, ‘The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him,and is full of joy when he hears the bridegrooms voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.’.
We should be filled with joy to step aside and allow Him to take the spotlight and to shine. We should excitedly anticipate getting to share in those times with Him, versus attempting to steal them as our own. We should be honored, and humbled, to step aside and allow Him to take His rightful place in everything that we do and that we are!
The times we are coming into are not going to be ones for the weak, timid or double-minded. People seem to not understand that EVERYONE regardless of their status can fall victim to pride, ego and attacks from the enemy. And more now than ever!
Billie is a 40-something stay-at-home momma of five beautiful children and Grammy to three grandchildren. When not wrangling the littles, she babysits for her two adult children. You will find her gardening, canning, baking, and making the most delicious meals for her family. Billie is a multitasker juggling a team of miniature tyrants, a cat, a snake, two dogs, two rats, and nine chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and studying her bible. Her passion is sharing the gospel through her writing! So, whether she’s feeding your body with delicious meals or feeding your soul through her writing, join Billie as she takes you on a journey providing you with “Food for Thought.”
by leaps and bounds 
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