Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Desperately Seeking God

“Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it!” Jeremiah 45:5

WOW! That’s quite the question. Am I seeking great things for myself?

I can’t deny there are times I would like to receive accolades for some amazing accomplishment. I probably erroneously associate acceptance with approval, position with popularity, friendship with fame, and respect with recognition. I confess desiring to do something great. I want my life to be pleasing to the Lord, but what is my motivation? What is my purpose for longing for bigger dreams and larger visions? God cares so much more about who I am than what I do. If given the choice, He will always choose character over competency. I tend to measure “great” and “small” by the world’s standards, falling short of expectations…not God’s…mine.

Do I desperately seek great things, not so much for my own success, but so others can see God as great? Whose name will be remembered in the end?

Lord, I look at others who have achieved “greatness” in my eyes and I feel so insignificant. Remind me again that my worth is not found in what I do. Help me obey with greatness regardless the task, without seeking greatness. May I not qualify and rate opportunities You place before me, ranking them in order according to human understanding.

That card written…great.
That e-mail sent…great.
The meal delivered…great.
The surprise gift mailed…great.
The word of encouragement spoken…great.
The prayer offered…great.
The tear shared…great.
The forgiveness extended…great.
The misunderstanding forgotten…great.
The hug given…great.
The time in His Word…great.

A cold cup of water humbly given in Your name has lasting value for eternity. May the only great thing I seek be You, for You alone are great.





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7 comments:

Danielle said...

How to true life that is for all of us. I want to do something great for God, but in the process, I lose sight of Him and begin looking at myself. Thanks for this reminder!

It's His greatness working through me!

Genny said...

Thanks for the perfect reminder to set out, each day, to do great things for Him. Not myself.

Have a great day!

Sarah said...

Thanks for this splash today, a splash of God's goodness and mine resting in Him. Every game of hide and seek, every snuggle, every minute spent washing the dishes ... My praise to HIm. He rejoices in the little things.

May my life sing of His worth,
Sarah Dawn

~Grace and Peace said...

I often stumble on this area. But God is quick to remind me of what I learned when our women's group studied The Search for Significance (Robert McGee).
1) I am a new creation, complete in Christ;
2) I am totally accepted by God; 3) I am completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God (I struggle the most here);
4) I am deeply loved by God.
Maybe I should re-read the book again.

Thank you for your insight. It blesses me every morning.

Lori said...

Thank you for your post and the beautiful words of the song. "The Famous One, Great is your name in all of the Earth. Your heavens declare Your Glorious Glorious! And for all you've done, and yet to do...with every breath I'm praising you."
Lord, help me be appreciative knowing that You have arranged every circumstance in my life. I want to spend my days worshiping You and giving You the Glory in everything I do.
Lori - AZ

Laura said...

A good reminder, Joy. It's easy to get caught up in praise.

I hope your family is well. I still pray for your mom, and all of you--you've been through so much.

Blessings,
laura

Deb said...

I'm fighting that battle right now.

To make Him known.

Not me.

To share His greatness.

Not my ego.

Thank you.

Sweet dreams.