Matthew records in Chapter 4, verse 25 that great multitudes followed Jesus, from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond the Jordan. Jesus attracted all manner of people to himself. While we read of people like Nicodemus and others, the vast majority were just ordinary people. Most were probably not successful people by the standards of that days culture.
Here, in our culture we like to record our accomplishments. We feel the need to achieve something of note. We fall into the trap of the world system that says we have to have big ministries, big churches, big everything. We take pride in our busy schedules, we take pride in our many activities. The one thing we really need is a big heart for God. We need to understand it's Jesus that saves and leads, not us. In the final chapter of Romans is a long list of people. For some, their work is commented on, for others it just identifies them as a brother or sister in the Lord. Doesn't really matter what they were known for or not known for. Jesus knew them and they knew Jesus.
The world doesn't need more Christian superstars. It doesn't need more people trying to achieve worldly success with a Christian veneer on it. The world needs more common, ordinary everyday people who are trying their best to follow Jesus. You see, it's those people Jesus really uses to turn the world upside down. God may call you to greatness in this life, but it's his sovereign choice. Just follow him and he'll use you however he needs to. And that's the greatest success you can ever have and the only one that matters.
Here, in our culture we like to record our accomplishments. We feel the need to achieve something of note. We fall into the trap of the world system that says we have to have big ministries, big churches, big everything. We take pride in our busy schedules, we take pride in our many activities. The one thing we really need is a big heart for God. We need to understand it's Jesus that saves and leads, not us. In the final chapter of Romans is a long list of people. For some, their work is commented on, for others it just identifies them as a brother or sister in the Lord. Doesn't really matter what they were known for or not known for. Jesus knew them and they knew Jesus.
The world doesn't need more Christian superstars. It doesn't need more people trying to achieve worldly success with a Christian veneer on it. The world needs more common, ordinary everyday people who are trying their best to follow Jesus. You see, it's those people Jesus really uses to turn the world upside down. God may call you to greatness in this life, but it's his sovereign choice. Just follow him and he'll use you however he needs to. And that's the greatest success you can ever have and the only one that matters.
Copyright © 2006 Greg Holl. All rights reserved.
