Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick (alive,) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
This week Michael writes: A Jesuit prayer says, From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus… that others may be esteemed more than I … That others may become holier that I may become as holy as I should. For it is humility that changes men and women into angels of thy mercy. In the New Testament is the story of a man who had a great following, yet he forsook his high position and in humility washed the feet of his twelve disciples.
In every game, half the teams will lose. Do we become so afraid of the fear of losing that we fail to compete? The story of Nehemiah is the story of adversity and those who stir up opposition to God’s call. Action requires that we faithfully strive to fulfill God’s call in the spiritual arena. Loyalty is earned over time, not by what we say we will do, but by what we do. Loyalty is what you show me through your actions over a long period of time. What’s the difference between success and significance? According to Acts 9:10-19: “And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.”
The world defines success as moving up the ranks, getting accolades for performance and achieving positions of more responsibility, authority, and honor. Ananias was called to do only one task, to go minister to a man called Saul. It’s not the success in this act, rather it’s the significance. It is the investment in people that last. Jesus himself invested in twelve men. The question is who are your three and who are your twelve? Through the seeds Jesus planted in these individuals, God has changed the world.
It’s not about what the world considers success. Instead it’s the significance of your actions according to God’s calling. God calls us as men and women of action to have a significant impact on others. People of God are called to act; to never retire from discipleship … to pass it on, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified to the praise of the glory of God’s grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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