I was going to be famous. I produced two country music albums in the early ‘90s. I had sent in a vocal demo to Charlie Daniels’ new TV show in Nashville. Once they heard it, I was invited to a physical audition in Nashville. This was it!! I was going to break through. Becoming a house-hold name was just a song away. Until it wasn’t. God had other plans for my story and I’m so glad his plan worked out and mine did not.
People everyday hope to become famous. Look at all the research from your kids to those in their mid-30s to many adults, their hope is to become famous and great. But God calls us to live in a way so you elevate others and God in your life. Now, it’s not a problem to be famous but generally, our focus is pulled away from God and others when all the focus is on ourselves.
John the Baptist got it right. He was preparing the way for Jesus at the front end of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life. John was incredibly popular and famous. In Matthew 3:5 it says, “That everyone from Jerusalem and Judea and the Jordan Valley came to hear John.” He had a massive following from the everyday villager all the way to King Herod, everybody knew and admired John.
But in John 3:30, after several people came to John asking if he was the Messiah, he says, “Jesus must become greater and greater and I must become less and less.” John says that it’s not about him. His mission is to point to Jesus.
And as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember we are his ambassadors. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are Christ’s ambassadors and he is making his appeal to the world through us. An ambassador is the highest ranking official from one country to another. So Paul is saying we are the highest ranking official from heaven to earth. Whatever we do, we are called to bring glory to God.
So, consider your walk. Whose approval matters most? God…or those around you. Like John, we say “More of Jesus, less of me”. Not my glory but his glory. Not my name but his Name. The world may not know you but you are known by the Name above all names. His Name is Prince of Peace, King of kings and Lord of lords.
He calls you blessed, loved, forgiven, and child of God. You’re already famous as a member of the family of God. Blessings on your journey.