“Sometimes I feel like sunshine must – shining on everything else that it never was.” Laurie Beth Jones.
It is “Human” Nature for us to want our accomplishments to be in the spotlight of the show of life. It is “Christian” Nature for us to place the accomplishments of others in the spotlight of life. One comes naturally. The other requires great Spiritual discipline.
When I read the opening quote above by Laurie Beth Jones, it really struck a chord in my heart. I was reminded that sometimes God doesn’t call or want us to be the stars of the show. Sometimes God doesn’t even want us on the same stage with the star of the show. Sometimes God wants us in the balcony, far removed from everybody’s view, focusing the spotlight on somebody else.
I thought about standing on a beach at sunset and drinking in the beauty of that scene. I was reminded that the sun has never been the ocean, nor will it ever be, but it is the light the sun shines on the ocean as it sets in the west that causes all of nature to stand in awe of Creator God.
I pictured a harvest moon in my mind. I remembered being taken aback and marveling at the vastness of God’s Creation that this scene imposes. Then, I was reminded that the sun has never been the moon, nor will it ever be, but it is the light from the sun which the moon reflects that causes young lovers to stare into space and believe there is hope for tomorrow.
In the show of life, one of the hardest concepts for us as Christians to grasp – is that we are not the stars. It has never been and never will be about us. It has always been about Him! I remember reading a statement somewhere that said, “Sometimes God doesn’t want you, He wants the chair you are sitting in.” I believe that in the show of life, occasionally all of us have sat on stage in the chair that has the word “star” written across the back. Then, with great love and patience Jesus gently nudges and reminds us that we are in His chair. He reminds us that we are not the stars of the show of life. We are the spotlight operators. He even gave us a written reminder of the role we play in the show of life when He said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Joy, peace, happiness, contentment, and fulfillment in life are found only when we walk off the stage, leave the accolades behind, climb into the balcony, and shine our lights on the Real Star. Jesus modeled this for us very poignantly when in an upper room, as the disciples argued among themselves about which of them would be the greatest in heaven, or the star of the show, the Real Star humbly knelt and washed their feet. In essence He was saying, “Boy’s, if you want to be the star, this is what you gotta do!” John the Baptist got it right when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The disciples didn’t have a clue. John realized who the Real Star of the show of life is. I wonder. Do we?
Brother Aaron
To schedule Brother Aaron to preach a Sunday service at your church, a revival meeting, or a special event, you may contact him at: 1-800-511-9536, 706-302.9162, or e-mail: freshfire@mindspring.com
