Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)
It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must
revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
The other day I read one time the story of Ambrose, a
great figure in Early Church history. He was the Roman governor of Liguria and
Aemilia, a great scholar who ruled with such loving care that people were said
to regard him as a father. The area's bishop died and discussion arose
regarding a successor. In the midst of the discussion, the voice of a small
child lifted above the noise of the crowd, "Ambrose-bishop!
Ambrose-bishop!" The crowd took up the cry. Ambrose actually fled the city
by night to avoid the high office being offered him by the Church.
It is said that when John Rough summoned John Knox to the
ministry publicly, from the pulpit in St. Andrews, Knox was appalled. History
of the Reformation reports that John Knox burst forth with abundant tears, and
withdrew himself to his chamber. His countenance and behavior, from that day
until the day he was compelled to present himself in the public place of
preaching, did sufficiently declare the grief and trouble of his heart. No man
saw in him any sign of mirth, nor yet had he pleasure to accompany any man, for
many days together."'
These are merely examples of two great men who maintained
a true sense of their own inadequacy for high office. Ambrose was willing to
serve as governor but was humbled by even being considered for the office of
bishop. John Knox was humiliated and therefore walked in humility. We need to
fertilize the fields of humility. That's the place where the flower of unity
grows. I'm afraid the Church today makes more room for self-promotion and position
seeking than did these two great gentlemen who were humiliated even at the
potential of being chosen to be a servant of the Lord. Where is the servant's
mentality among us? It's time for the towel, not the sword.
Let us each be humble and have our hearts ready for what
God has for each of us.
Dear Lord, We pray that we would each have our hearts
right and that we would be humbly ready to serve You however You want for each
of us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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