I sat with a power-house minister. Well, kind of. He’s actually an ordinary, non-ministry degreed man. And he’s my husband. Anyway, a profound thing was happening. My husband was on fire!!! As he prayed for a person in need, everything he said was wise. Everything he spoke was powerful. Everything was changing the situation. My mouth dropped open. God was moving.
People affirmed him. “Mr., your prayers are powerful. You don’t know how much they matter; they are personally impactful.” Mountains got moved.
Which was all fine and dandy, except for one thing. I prayed for that person too, you know, and they didn’t mention my prayers… What about me, God?
Do you ever size up your impact against another’s, like me? Deciding that because they’re powerful, you’re weak?
This mindset couldn’t be further than the truth. And, in this situation, I should have known better… The enemy will always try to make us believe we’re only as good as our last bit of stellar work. He’ll always attempt to make us chase performance, and to call it “godliness.”
It’s how he forms and fashions – pride. We become imprisoned to one-upping each other in order to keep some sort of prized status. This is a form of the pit of hell, I’m sure of it.
Yet, in God’s economy, it is never about one-upping, it is always about one getting low. Low enough to lift the other up. Low enough to make room for others gifts. Low enough to see God really work the way He wants to. Low enough to believe in His work more than you have to self-exalt your plans.
So, today, I thank God that my husband is impactful, full of God and a mountain-mover. I praise God that he has a heart to bless others. I see the beauty of his impact. I celebrate who he is.
And, I confess, God has more than enough good ministry moments in store for me. I am not a product of what-I-do-for-him, but who-He-is-in-me and what-Jesus-has-already-done-for-me. In this, I can allow humility to make room for others. I can celebrate others’ successes. And, most of all, I can trust God and all that He is doing in and around me.
He always has a good plan.
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Love this reminder – in God’s economy it’s abot getting low.
Thank you sister for hosting a place to gather!
oh, that special economy of God. The one full of opposites! It’s amazing how getting low can be the very thing that raises us up!
Amen, He always has a good plan! I can easily get caught in the trap of comparison and this was a good reminder…I need to be reminded everyday ugh!
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Hi I just want jou to pray for me I’m retrenching and I must cet a places to stay please asked God for a miracle and I brack true thanks God bless.
Oh, goodness, “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it!”
Looking in the mirror after reading this post, Kelly, and thankful for God’s mercy with my ever-comparing heart.
Kelly, I sometimes struggle with the performance trap… ok, more than sometimes. This weekend I didn’t feel my preaching was as good as other times and even though many women shared how God used it, the enemy was trying to beat me up about it. Thanks for reminding me that it’s not about performance, but His power! Praying God blesses the ministry He has you and your hubby in.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
It’s about getting low. So much gentle conviction in this for me. laurensparks.net
God pulled me up on this 22 year’s ago;
I was ministering in a mountain village on Tanna Island in Vanuatu, praying for a lady to be healed & God moved in a new & mighty way.. my thoughts (rather embarrassingly now) were “wow, I didn’t know I could do that!” & instantly the Holy Spirit said to me as clear as anything “you didn’t, I did!” That was on my knees humbling there & then!
From that night I have never thought my performance or action in ministry was responsible for any outcome or not…it’s all the Holy Spirit!
Romans 12:1 is constantly sobering in that we are but to be obedient… For this is our reasonable worship. I think in this day & age of high accolades by man in recognition of man’s achievements, we forget that in God noticing that we are being obedient is the greatest accolade of all 😀
Blessings,
Jennifer
Beautifully said!
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