Jeremiah 45:5 (ESV)
And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not,
for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I
will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.”
J. Oswald Sanders, a Godly man and former director of
Overseas Missionary Fellowship, once wrote about a position he desired. As he
contemplated lobbying for the position, at one point, while walking through the
city of Auckland, New Zealand, a verse of Scripture came to his mind,
"Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not!"
Sanders later said, "The words came just as though
it was God speaking. There were crowds all around me, and no one else heard the
voice, but I heard it all right!" He went on to say, "I believe that
was a real turning point in my service to the Lord." As a result, he never
sought the position, but later it was opened for him, in God's timing.
The world's standards of greatness -- money, success,
power and fame -- mean nothing to God. If we truly aspire to greatness, we will
learn from Jesus' example. He didn't exemplify His greatness by conquest or by
riches or worldly success – but rather by humility, gentleness and servant hood.
If we truly want to be great in God's kingdom, we will
decide to transform worldly "ambition" into "Godly
ambition". We will not seek honor, but humility. We won't desire power to
rule, but to become the greatest servant. Beyond everything, we will long to be
great in His love…and through His love, influence and transform the world
around us. These are "ambitions" worthy of our Lord and Savior, who,
because of His great love and humility, was exalted above every other name, and
also promised that He will humble the exalted...and, exalt the humble.
Dear Lord, today we pray that we would not have a worldly
ambition but instead have a Godly ambition. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment