Thursday, January 06, 2005

Who do we think we are?

I have become convinced that many times we forget who we are. Or, maybe more importantly, what we are. Sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees.

This may sound like an odd statement, but bear with me but a moment. When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we place ourselves in subservience to Him. At that point, we do gain the righteousness of Jesus Christ, but we are still infinitely small compared to the infinitely great God. And don't forget that before knowing Christ, we aren't even alive. (Eph 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- ").

So - who's goals are more important? God's or ours? I think the answer is easy - God's goals are more important. And, God has promised that He will work things that were meant for evil for good, and will work all things out for the good of those who love him. A loving God by his very nature wants the best for us.

Sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees. As we live our lives serving God, sadly we can sometimes become convinced (by our own pride or the deceitful words of the Evil One) that our niche in ministry is the only way to go, that we know best how to glorify God. We close ourselves off to good counsel, and isolate ourselves from the invigoration of knowing others who are fighting alongside us for God's glory.

Don't let this happen to you. Remember who you are and more importantly who God is. Remember the value of having others around you that can help you see the forest when you've focused on the trees nearest you. Remember to not harden yourself to the possibilities that big changes may be in store. Hey - you may even lose your segment of the forest - and if it's God's will and the forest as a whole will benefit, then to God be the glory!

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