“We are not God’s gift to humanity. He loves us and indwells us and has great plans for us. God can use each of us, but he doesn’t need any of us. We are valuable but not indispensable. We are the ax, the saw, the rod, and the cane.”- Max Lucado
“Can an ax boast greater power than the person who uses it? Is the saw greater than the person who saws? Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it? Can a wooden cane walk by itself?”- Isaiah 10:15 (NLT)
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 4 of How Happiness Happens as he observes that we’re nothing apart form the hand of God. However, Pastor Lucado notes, our generation takes adulation to a whole new level. As a result, Max likens social media to social comparison on steroids. Because we measure success in ‘likes’, retweets’, and ‘thumbs-ups’. But, it makes no sense to hinge your joy on the unpredictable reactions /reviews of people you may not even know.
Yet, it’s not so easy to silence the Martha within. Nothing good happens when ministry becomes vain ambition. So, Max asks, What are you doing for God that God could not do alone? Thus, the author advises, it’s wise to remember Paul’s antidote for joy-sucking self-promotion: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.”- Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
In conclusion, Pastor Lucado recommends a helpful exercise that enables you to turn the focus off yourself and on to others. During the next twenty-four hours, set as your goal to celebrate everything good that happens to someone else. And keep a list. Also, Max encourages, develop your “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15 NIV) muscle.
Max exhorts:
“Blessed is the Christian whose focus is on others. Miserable is the Christian whose focus is on self. If your desire to be noticed is making you miserable, you can bet it is doing the same for others. Stop being a Martha. Get back to basics. . . . You’ll be amazed how peaceful the evening will be.”
Today’s question: What Scripture deter you from seeing yourself as God’s gift to humanity? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Social media – taking rage to a new level”
