This section from, The Grandmother’s Bible, by Dawn Scott Jones, spoke to me today and I wanted to share it with you.
“We long to be first, to be the center of attention, to have control. We hate to admit it, but we can struggle with insecurity and jealousy and sometimes become threatened when others succeed. We find secret satisfaction when our rival fails. We yearn for significance, to accomplish something great.
But Jesus redirects our earthly rationale by teaching us that being great means serving, choosing to be second, stepping out of the limelight so someone else can shine. We are on our way to greatness in God’s perspective when we roll up our sleeves and offer our gifts wherever they are needed.”
This attitude of “being on top” is not only seen and felt in the secular world but in ministry, too. Why—because we are fleshy people. Our flesh side or our human side longs to be number one, the shining star, the top dog. But the truth is there is only one super star and His Name is Jesus Christ.
We are all His supporting actors in a story not about us, but all about Him! If we really want our name to go down in history, we must step into our God-given roles making the star forever look good.
With this mindset, I’m able to fight my human side that longs to be first, and fight for the cause of Christ among the multitudes who are also striving to make our great God known. Besides, ministry is NOT a competition. We are all on the same team seeking to score one for the kingdom of God. Seeing others in ministry as competitors should raise a red flag.
The Word of God says that envy is rooted in evil.
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21)
When you and I seek to be on top or feel threatened by others success, then we are allowing our sinful nature to control us. On the other hand, those who are walking in the Spirit of God will bear the fruit of the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Gal 5:22-26)
Whether you work in ministry or the secular world, as children of God this is how we are to live. We are to view others as teammates, not competitors, working toward the same goal—lifting up the name of Jesus. This quote by Ronald Regan sums it up. “”There is no limit to what a man or woman can do or where he or she can go if he/she doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” That’s success according to God’s economy because it allows us to work together as teamates as build the kingdom of God.
HisPrincess says
That’s a great perspective Micca, no better than that, it is a true perspective.
Life is competitive, I am competitive, and it’s something that I struggle to control. I’m not a particularly jealous personality, but I do like to win.
Iam a worship leader and I have struggled to help some members of our congregation understand that worship leading isn’t about me, it’s about allowing the Lord work through me and worshipping Him with all my heart. But still, even though I know this truth, I still sometimes let that competitive urge creep in. I want to be the best worship leader in our church. It’s hard to know if I’m crossing the line here, it’s ok to want to be the best for my Lord, but it’s not ok to want to be the best for the accolades I receive. I find I have to reassess my motives quite often, and they are often not pure.
I often fall short, but that’s where I can rely on the grace of my Lord to forgive me and teach me to move on and improve.
I’ve enjoyed your blog, and will come and visit again if thats ok with you!
Digging for Pearls says
Just wanted to wish you Happy Mother’s Day Micca!
Blessings,
Pearls
K. Langston says
Hi, Micca:
I found your blog today, just after the Lord uncovered – again – the fleshy desire to be on top in an area of ministry at church. I really had thought I was over the struggle to be one of the best in this area. God clearly allowed me to see that I still deal with this desire.
I was even thinking of writing an article called, “My Life on the B Team” or something like that! I’m asking myself this morning why I keep finding myself serving alongside another woman who has talent, beauty and ambition oozing out of her pores. I fight feeling totally invisible around such people, but always wind up serving next to them. Clearly, God is still trying to teach me something that I haven’t gotten yet! I laugh as I prayed to God this morning, “God, if you want me to know that I’ll always be on the “B” list, I think, after all of these years, I get it by now!”
I have no doubt that He is trying to teach me something important here. Then I read your blog and it said, “Being great means serving, choosing to be second, stepping out of the limelight so someone else can shine. We are on our way to greatness in God’s perspective when we roll up our sleeves and offer our gifts wherever they are needed.”
It seems like I am always doing that, but deep down, that’s what I really want anyway. I don’t feel badly about having the feelings of resentment. But I must choose to crucify those feelings in order to allow God – and His work in another – to shine.
Thanks for reminding me why I’m here, and how God sees “Second Place.” I think I was directed to your post today!
ocean mommy says
This was awesome! In fact, I pretty much had this conversation last night with a sister who is struggling with another ladies “success”.
Have a great weekend!
steph.
Becky says
Thanks, Micca.
Although I no longer envy anyone happiness or success professionally, I do find myself feeling some envy at times when someone achieves some happiness in an area where I haven’t yet…as if there is only so much happiness out there…and someone else having some means less for me…When I see how silly that really is, I am better able to stop…say a prayer that the negative envy is replaced by a positive gratitude for all my blessings and all the blessings bestowed by God on others. Then I CAN start to feel some happiness too. I am truly blessed..
Have a good day.
Rachel says
Thank you for your words. Gosh, it’s amazing how we all struggle with so many of the same issues.I really struggle with wanting to be admired for what I do and say and whilst able to say “To God be the glory,” and indeed mean it, I still long for some glory for me and constantly compare myself to others who..and, of course, always think they are better than me.
I do think that sometimes arrogance and low self esteem are 2 sides of the same coin.
Thanks for your words.
Rachel.
Julie Coleman says
Micca:
I loved your P31 devotion today. God is present for all of our moments, both good and bad. Too often as moms we only remember the bad ones. But God does not– our sin is cast as far from us as the east is from the west.
My children are grown now, and I have tried to apologize for the many ways I failed them in their younger years. They look at me in astonishment. “Are you kidding, Mom? You were the best mom ever!!” We focus on the failures, but the overall impression of being loved and watching us live lives that love God is what the children remember.
I am so glad you were able to be such a humble encouragement to the many who received this devotional this morning. Kudos to your vulnerability. Your message was powerful and effective.
Sincerely,
Julie Coleman
pam says
Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but less about ourselves. Who He created us to be is all about HIM. Sometimes we get caught up in glory stealing without realizing it and sometimes it is others who put us on the pedestal above God. We just have to train ourselves to look beyond the people we see and realize who is working through them and in them. Great post.