When we think about being “great” for God, most think about participating in great programs and projects while greatly utilizing our talents, abilities and natural strengths. We think of doing. But I don’t think that’s right. It seems to me WHO we are as individuals is of greater importance than WHAT we try to do.
E.M. Bounds said it best, “Men look for better programs, God is looking for better men.” People tend to look for GREAT talent and strength, but maybe God is looking for men and women of GREATNESS.
When you look at the ministry of Jesus, his goal was never programs and projects – it was people. It’s as if the kingdom of God is a human resources and development mission. What if WHO we are is monumentally more important than WHAT we do? Paul seems to suggest that when he wrote in 1Cor. 13:3, “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames (WHAT PAUL COULD DO), but have not love (WHO PAUL WAS), I gain nothing.”
In God’s economy doing never replaces being. That means effective BECOMING always proceeds effective DOING. I’m not trying to downplay the need for projects and giftedness being expressed by us – they are gifts from God that are vital to express, but shouldn’t those things be secondary to us developing the quality, character and faith of our lives?
Me thinks greatness in the kingdom of God comes from what we allow God to do IN us, not in what we do FOR him. In the final analysis, this is always more about God than about us.
God be praised.
