The writer of today's Quiet Times, Cami King of JCC, challenges us to question why we pursue greatness. Do we do it for ourselves or are we truly reflecting who God is?
I think this challenge is extremely important, especially in the specific context of ministry and missions. There was a time in the fall where I was struggling with praying over a group. My fears were that my prayers would not be perceived as "good" or "powerful" prayers - in short, I wanted to be known as a powerful prayer warrior. Yes, I wanted God to move powerfully during this time, but I wanted to be the guy who ushered that time in. Thank God that He revealed to me my pride and my fear of man and that He helped me give up times of group prayer up to God for Him to lead.
As we all prepare for the mission field, let us remember that it is God who moves and that we need to place Him in the drivers seat. In Jeremiah 23 the Lord says to the people of Israel: “I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds"(21-22). Let us not forsake God for the sake of our own greatness, but as Jeremiah said, to stay in God's presence and His will, and God will use us beyond our imagination.
I think this challenge is extremely important, especially in the specific context of ministry and missions. There was a time in the fall where I was struggling with praying over a group. My fears were that my prayers would not be perceived as "good" or "powerful" prayers - in short, I wanted to be known as a powerful prayer warrior. Yes, I wanted God to move powerfully during this time, but I wanted to be the guy who ushered that time in. Thank God that He revealed to me my pride and my fear of man and that He helped me give up times of group prayer up to God for Him to lead.
As we all prepare for the mission field, let us remember that it is God who moves and that we need to place Him in the drivers seat. In Jeremiah 23 the Lord says to the people of Israel: “I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds"(21-22). Let us not forsake God for the sake of our own greatness, but as Jeremiah said, to stay in God's presence and His will, and God will use us beyond our imagination.
Amen, Chris! Encouraged by your willingness to share about struggles with pride. Good reminder to check who's on the "throne" as we prep for missions and serve
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