I Want to be a Pointer

Okay. I’ll admit it. Some days I struggle with humility. I get so fixated on who commented or liked or loved my blog, that I fail to remember it is HE Who deserves all the honor and praise. Less of me, more of Him. That I might decrease and He increase.

We’ve been talking about John the Baptist a lot lately and, WOW, did he ever exude humility! Those two boys – Jesus and John – were cousins with intimately close mamas – so intimate that when Mary showed up at Elizabeth’s home, Elizabeth’s baby boy, John, leapt in her womb. They were quite a foursome. I suspect those boys had many play-times together. They were more than cousins – they were “soul and spirit” brothers.

Just think how John could have been jealous of Jesus, but He continued to say things like: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) And, I agree with John. I want that, too! I really do desire that when others see me, they see Jesus. I want any attention I get to deflect off me and land right to He Who is worthy of all praise. He must increase, but I must decrease.

I suppose this is a common struggle in the world we’re living in today. In this “survival of the fittest” to gain the most followers or take the best “touched-up” selfie, or profile our amazing “bestie” friends, it is easy to allow the self-praise desires to cloud the path to Christ. This is why I know I am inspired by the humility of St John the Baptist. When given the opportunity to claim personal fame, he deflects the attention to Christ.

I wonder how much of what we do proclaims to the world, “more of you, God"! In the midst of racking up those likes and loves, are our efforts leading others to Christ, or are they fattening up the number of followers in the popularity score we’re keeping for ourselves? Lord, please help us show You off and be a pointer to You as an example of true humility. And when the world seeks to capture our attention with promises of glory or fame or accolades of any kind, may we point to the One who deserves all our praise. Less of me, more of You, God!

Sign Me Up – I’ll Campaign for Him

In my email box yesterday morning was the news that the Democrats' presidential primary debate (last night) was narrowed down to the top twelve who met the polling and fundraising criteria. Now the rest of the candidates who demanded a lot of media attention before, will be overlooked when it comes to presidential consideration this term..

Overlooked means “being unnoticed”. I know that there is someone reading this blog that feels overlooked today. Maybe it is because you aren’t outgoing and prefer it that way. Maybe you were overlooked on a job promotion or overlooked at school because you were the quiet, less-commanding-attention-one.

That’s why, in my blog yesterday and today, I’m campaigning for Jesus. There are many things I love about Him but the thing I notice and love Him for so much is He doesn't overlook anyone. He went out of His way to bring hope to the rejected and outcast. It didn’t matter what others thought. He paid attention to everyone.

Matthew 4:24 says “..and His fame went out”. The cause of His fame is seen in verse 23: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness." When He healed a man of leprosy in Luke 5, “the report about Him went abroad” and as a result more people came to hear Jesus’ message and be healed by Him! Jesus’ fame took Him from obscurity to rock star status. It took Him from being an undiscovered talent to being the most sought after Man in the entire Holy Land, all because people were spreading the news about what He had done for them.“. He didn't even need social media!

So here I am today – actually everyday – being a reporter of His powerful work in me. He made me a survivor. Along with all those in the Bible that He didn’t overlook – He didn’t overlook me. So I MUST spotlight Him.. Has God done anything for you in the past week? Have you told anyone about what He’s done? Who will you tell? Together, we can make Jesus famous.

The first place where you and I can start is in our own little worlds. When we read the Great Commission in the gospels, we are told to make Jesus famous…to all nations and to the entire world (Acts 1:8). But the starting point is Jerusalem, the very place where the disciples are located. He says first make Me famous right where you live. The places we live, learn, work, play, shop. We can make Jesus famous by serving/loving the people around us. We can make Jesus famous through prayer. We can make Jesus famous by relying on the Holy Spirit. And we can make Jesus famous by speaking of His greatness.

Seriously, the world has its eyes on you and me. What is it about those Christians who live out love and only speak about love? Let’s make Jesus famous by consistently shining a spotlight on Him through the lives we live and the people we love.

“It is Jesus we preach, warning every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Colossians1:28).