It is foolish and dangerous to seek fame and renown, even “Christian” fame and renown. Years ago, a neighbor heard others talking about me a bit, she saw me take off on trips, and heard others mention they had heard me on the radio or saw me on television. She was from another country and asked Lisa, “I don’t know how to ask this, Lisa, but is Gary famous?” Lisa asked me how she should respond, and I said, “That’s so easy. If someone has to ask, the answer, by definition, is no!” There are tiny pockets of fame all around in all sectors of society, but they mean nothing. And the bigger the pocket, the more brutal the humiliation to follow.
A quick review of David’s life should convince anyone that there is much humiliation in service. Not just seasons of humiliation, but lives of humiliation. And should any of us become truly famous, the reality is most of us would blow it somehow and humiliate ourselves. Almost everyone does, all of which leads to one conclusion: live for Christ, not for yourself. If you don’t crucify your desire for renown, it will crucify you.
If you were to ask any serious biblical scholar to name the five key individuals in Israel’s history, David would be on every list. By God’s own decree, David has a singular place:
“Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth….Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” 2 Samuel 7:8,16.
And yet consider the humiliation David endured for decades before (and, frankly, after) his exaltation took place. As the youngest son, David served in his family’s lowest job: shepherding sheep. He was so marginalized by his father Jesse that when Samuel came to anoint one of his sons, David wasn’t even called up until Samuel insisted upon it.
I’ve talked to many women and men greatly frustrated that they are working “beneath” their abilities. Welcome to the club. It happens all the time.
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