Being inconspicuous

I often meander and ruminate on the issue of Christ letting us know that we would do well not to seek fame or recognition for what good we do. The fear is that if we do take credit- and we get the recognition of man- then in many ways we have already received our reward.

This also can show us where our hearts are at. Do we seek the approval of man more than the approval of God? Are we not satisfied with the aspect of knowing Christ- and counting it all as loss as compared to the surpassing Glory of Christ?

i sometimes like some compliments and it's fun to hear what people say about me and my pastoring role now. It's strange to be seen as an authority figure- and i really don't mind. What happens is that i tend to listen to the voices of the people and what they think- rather than resting in the sublime embrace of God.

Our significance can come from so many things. For some it's from the approval of man- in many forms- in the form of status- in the form of feeling left out of life- of not getting the self esteem or confidence or affirmation from people. I really wonder how deep these things go- and i need only look at myself to know that i fail so awesomely at this. i don't get discouraged that easily but i am deeply insecure. But when we are found by God- the insecurity doesn't necessarily change- but where we find our significance does. When we find it in God- who is unchanging- it does trump everything else that is subject to change.

This is not the same as transcending reality- but more the fact that there is life now- in our struggles and in our process and journey- but in our escapism culture- we like to escape our circumstances so much- we just want to get through the times we don't like. well....sometimes- maybe just sometimes- now....i believe all the time- that our struggles and bad times when we feel cursed- it actually is good as it draws us toward Christ. When times are good- we really are departing from Christ- and thinking to ourselves- "God must have blessed me".

But if our lives are so stirred by circumstances- it is like "being tossed and turned by the waves of the sea" in which we are not anchored to Christ.

And i think it is great to be aware of our actions and the things happening around us- but we need to take a look inwards at what we are seeking to find in the things we go after. We would be wise to look inward at what we find our significance in. Whether or not they are good- we look and look at ourselves- and then we look at Christ- and it is almost a wonder how we could have such a high opinion of ourselves in the face of Christ. I am most blessed in this place- where i am left with Christ- and looking upon His face- and finding that everything else pales in comparison.