Do you want more? What do you want more of?

More influence?
More impact?
More recognition?
More purpose?

I have come to realize that I have two different desires for more that compete with each other. Let me explain:

One is God-Given – I want my life to matter.
The second is from my sinful human nature – I want my life to matter to other people.

Human Nature

Have you ever dreamed of being famous? Perhaps you have dreamed of being a famous athlete. Perhaps you just need to be the top employee at your job. Maybe you have a YouTube channel that you judge your success on by the number of hits and likes you get. The details of our human wants vary but the desire is the same. We want to be noticed.   

This is the temptation. This is the human struggle. It’s a distortion.

Instead, I ask this question that is very Give Your Story: Does this reflect the heart of Jesus? 

God Given

When I look at this world, my flesh whispers in my ear, if I were more influential, If I were more notable. If I were more successful, I would feel satisfied. I would be great. I know this is not true. God has already given me a purpose. My purpose is to help others discern the character of Jesus from distorted teachings that harm people. Topics that I focus on here at Give Your Story like:

Gender Equality
Sexual Shame
Spiritual Abuse
Legalism
False Authority

Does this look like Jesus? 

As I have been reflecting on this, it dawned on me that:

The most important thing that I could ever do, is to be more like Jesus. 

This should be my unwavering direction to something greater. Yet, somehow I want worldly recognition and or personal satisfaction from this. It’s an internal struggle.

Many Christians ask, “What does God want me to do? I believe the better question is, “What is God making me into?  

Jesus addresses this inner battle:

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4)
“Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)

Jesus didn’t say “Don’t become great.” Instead he completely redefines greatness by inverting societies standards. The world measures greatness by wealth, power and status. Jesus measures greatness by love, humility, and service to the needs of others. 

This leads me to a prayer from John the Baptist:

John 3:30 NIV

He must become greater; I must become less.

Here is what is remarkable about John the Baptist. John the Baptist is a well known bible figure. John the Baptist is a very influential character in biblical history. John the Baptist is great, because he didn’t point people to himself. He pointed people towards Jesus. John became one of the most influential people in biblical history because he never tried to become the center of the story. His greatness wasn’t found in getting followers. His greatness was found in pointing the followers to Jesus. 

Want to be Great?

We should continue to ask, how can I reflect Jesus more faithfully? There is no conflict in using our gifts to spread the word to point people toward Jesus.

THE GREAT COMMISSION.

Maybe that’s what more greatness really looks like…

Not more followers
Not more recognition
Not more applause

If people remember my name but miss Jesus, I have failed.

If people forget my name but know Christ, then my life truly matters.

THIS! IS THE GREATENESS ACCORDING TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.