As a pastor I am a fairly public figure. One of the things I love about our town is its size. It is a quaint mid-western town. It's not too big and it's not too small. Like Goldilocks, I feel like I have found something that is just right. Now, our church is pretty big which means when I go out into the town it is not unusual to see several people from the church. I saw a half a dozen at Yours Truly this morning. Now there are quite a few people who come to our church that I don't know by name. Since I am the one up front they tend to recognize me but I may be a little fuzzy about them. I have gotten used to seeing people look at me and make some sort of gesture that indicates that they know me. Actually I feel like I am an expert at seeing those people and being quick to nod and acknowledge and give the friendly,"Hey, how are you doing? It is good to see you" while both of us know I don't really know them but they seem ok with it. I don't really have much of a choice. At times I can feel a little the part of a small time celebrity. Anyway, I was in Carabou the other morning and a man walked in with his wife. He looked at me a little too long, the dead give away that he knew me so I just nodded and smiled and did my pastor thing. I was with Jim Colledge so I asked him, "Hey, do you happen to know that guy?" Jim looked at me and said, "Yeah, that is Congressman Tom Sawyer". Scripture warns, "Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought". There I was in Carabou congratulating myself on being such a celebrity only to find myself on the other end of a "Hey, how are you doing?" from a guy who was sure I knew who he was. The truth was that neither of us had a clue. So, for all of you big fishes out there, be careful. You may not be as big as you think.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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6 comments:
Golly - usually when people stare at me for a while, I think I probably have something in my teeth...
Thanks for your transparency.
It is all in The Book! Praise God. John the Baptist is our example to glean from isn't he. He kept pointing to the one that he knew he was unworthy to untie his sandal The Son of God. He decreased as Jesus increased. As it was then, let it be now and forever.
Now I am wondering who you thought I was Tuesday morning.
How do you see yourself? The ONE who loves you most sees you as unconditionally loved, totally accepted, under no condemnation,
wonderfully made, unique for there is only one of you in this entire world after all He knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb. He knows your heart.This is who you are. So, I would say wake up every morning secure in who you are never puffed up but thankful for the Father's gift of life and help someone else see themselves through the eyes of the Almighty God.
How do you see yourself?
This is not the question to ask, for what we see in a mirror is not what God sees. God can see right through our false facades, our 'designer labels' and the status symbols that so many of us try to put up front for others to see.
Live your life for Jesus. Live it trying to be more like Him. Material things stay here on Earth, they do not go with us to Heaven, nor do they bring us closer to God.
Choose to be seen by others the way that God sees you, for He alone is "The Big Fish." People can and will see your actions, your attitude and your deeds.
Forever Praise Him!
Wow--I wonder if Jesus ever talked about being a celebrity--probably not...he had humility
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