“And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.” (Acts 14:13 ESV)
At a pastors conference at which I attended in Lake Tahoe, California, some years ago, a music minister spoke about Christian musicians that, after some years of performing, found themselves well apart from G-d, many falling into trouble. He said that it is the very crowd of followers that surround musician that contribute to this fall. The music minister went on to say that as artists, we are obligated to give all glory to G-d. He said that artists tend to listen to the adulation of the audience, and take a little glory upon them. This they do to their downfall.
Now take a look at how Paul handled things. In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas preached in Lystra, and a miracle occured. The crowd immediately decided Paul and Barnabas were gods. Paul kept his cool, diverting the developing situation, and at the same time shifting the glory to G-d, away from the two of them. Paul’s cry was “We are men also. . .” I think one of Paul’s greatest asset was his ability to keep things in perspective. He played well the balancing act of allowing himself to feel appreciated while also remembering his humanity, his mortality.
It seems to me the type of failure the music minister spoke of can and does happen to pastors, evangelists, teachers, any one who serves G-d in any capacity, even those closet prayer warriors. Any time we begin to think we are doing some good, we are subject to an inflated ego, to pride, to ruin. Yes, G-d works through us and does really amazing things. But let us always remember that G-d can speak through a donkey. He is the potter, we are the clay. With all those great rewards, like little pins in our hats, let’s remember Who enabled us to attain them. And when we meet the Lord Y’shuaJesus face to face, let us remember to knell and lay at His feet the rewards He won for us. Let us remember our Lord Y’shuaJesus is G-d, and we are humans after all.
And I pray the Love of Messiah be in your heart and seen in your eyes, and that your remember it is, after all, His love in you. AMEN.
Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . . until we next meet.
JonahzSong 