As the rain and snow

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love…

“Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:11-16,22-24

Paul urges the church to strive toward attaining edification, unity, and maturity. With this end in mind, the Lord equipped individuals to help build His church, and none of His children remained stagnant. They would either waste or use, be tossed or rooted. Christ calls His children to persevere with forward and upward momentum to strength upon strength, and flourishing.

How we start and set our days determines daily movement and spiritual progression. Identifying habits that send us backwards or away from Christ is key. His Spirit is faithful to convict and expose when we humbly ask, and His Word renews our minds. The practices we put off make way for practices that build the church and exalt the Savior. (John 16:8; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:25-5:30)

Where and when do I act like an undisciplined child? Is failure to secure myself to the Root leaving me directionless, wayward, flailing wildly at every wind of false doctrine or argument? Am I settling for life as a casual Christian, swayed by ease or cultural whims du jour, easily lulled to spiritual complacency? If so, I will grow farther and farther from Christ, easily deceived and ineffective, having no positive impact. The malaise and corruption of the past must be eradicated and replaced. (Isaiah 11:1-5; John 15:4-5; 2 Peter 1:5-10)

When and how do I take advantage of the equipping God supplies? What obstacles prevent my taking advantage of His saints’ teaching, refinement, edification? How earnestly do I seek wisdom, correction, and training from His word? Pride and fear and empty excuses have no place in the nurturing of Christ’s children. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

How can and will I do my part to build, enrich, and adorn the Body? How committed am I to speaking truth, promoting unity and righteousness? Working concertedly to equip and encourage contributes to faith and fulness in Christ, to His glory.

“Let me grow closer to Thee, Lord Jesus,
Oh, closer day by day;
Renew and use me daily, Lord Jesus,
Your truth and grace display.” ~Father Ignatius (1883) and PEB

Lord, make me whole in You, and wholly committed to helping the church grow in Your holiness, graces, and perfect beauty.

“Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.

“She said to the king, ‘The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.’ Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon…

“And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon. So she turned and went back to her own land.” 1 Kings 10:1-1-10,13

The Queen of Sheba and her retinue made the thousand-mile journey to Jerusalem, having heard of Solomon’s fame. Curious and observant, she bore gifts and questions. In return, the king answered every inquiry and displayed such varied and widespread splendor that she was struck breathless with awe. Prepared to be amazed, she was dumbfounded at the depth of His wisdom and happy order of his kingdom, and left having procured more than she could have imagined in her royal encounter.

Oh, many are the allures that take our breath! Controlled by the flesh, emotions and impulses are captivated by excitement, lusts, instant gratification. The mind is titillated by trending thought leaders, sound bites, popular (even if groundless) opinion. In the Spirit, we set mind and effort above, and seek out the mind of Christ. We delight to get to Jesus and discover His treasure. (Galatians 5:16; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 3:1-2)

What regularly captures our affection and breath? Where are we wasting energy and astonishment? What effort do we direct and expend to prepare heart, mind, and body to know Jesus? How far are we willing to go, what time and attention to give, to learn His ways and effects? Anticipating much when we pursue the King always yields more than we expect. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Lord, inspire me daily to go after Your wisdom and worth, and share Your treasure with others.

“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones… There were very many on the surface of the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ And I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know^.’ Then he said, ‘Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord..: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’

“So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath… Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these, that they may live.^‘ So I prophesied as he commanded, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet.

“Then he said.., ‘Son of man, these bones are… Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost…” Therefore prophesy..: Behold, I will… raise you from your graves… And you shall know that I am the Lord… And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live… You shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.'” Ezekiel 37:1-14

God’s Spirit gave Ezekiel a startling vision for a striking prophecy: bones rattled, awakened, and given the substance of life. In the middle of a dry valley, hope was pronounced, to the end not only of renewal but of knowing the Lord. What He knew and would achieve He revealed before the faithful prophet for His despairing people.

And the vision awakens hope for every arid place of spirit and life. Rather than languish in the dry valley, we can enjoy a fertile dwelling place with the Lord. What the Holy Spirit does by regeneration in awakening us to the Savior, who died for us when we were dead in sin, He continues to do in the facets of our lives. (Ezekiel 37:26-27; Ephesians 2:1-6)

What hollow of soul or body has wasted into lifelessness? Has spiritual vitality grown listless? Have we been ravaged of person or property? Are we grieving the loss of communication, memory, or intimacy? What past sin- even a confessed and cleansed one- been used by Satan to eat away at peace with shame or regret?

How will we know Him better through revival? Come to the Life-Giver! Take in His powerful breath! Allow Him to renew vision, joy, and hope!

Lord God, have your way with what you do best in the areas I need you most, so You are known and magnified.

“When my soul was embittered,
    when I was pricked in heart,
I was brutish and ignorant;
    I was like a beast toward you.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
    I have made the Lord God my refuge,
    that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:21-28

Asaph the psalmist wrestles with ugly angst over the prosperity of the wicked until he enters God’s sanctuary and gets his mindset corrected. They might have temporary success here on earth, but their security is slippery and evasive. He, though embittered, is held by the merciful Lord in the present and forever. He acknowledges that God holds his hand, redirects his emotions, guides with His counsel, strengthens and fulfills, is always and ever near as his soul’s refuge. Here is where he delights and finds the deepest desires satisfied. (Psalm 73:2-20)

If we enter days on the defensive, mired in comparison and status and posturing, or as victims resentfully complaining and blaming others, we make ourselves (and everyone around us) miserable. It may be natural to struggle with resentment against others’ unjust success, or our own lack of reward for earnest efforts, but it is not a spiritually healthy place to reside. Brash bitterness makes for brutishness of spirit and demeanor.

How we handle perceived unfairness rests in how we use our hands. Meddling and poking and pointing with disdain breeds beastliness, while drawing back when He prods to take the hand of the Lord turns both focus and attitude to His wondrous, secure hold. He repositions attention and reorders affections. He fills us with good things with which to be satisfied and to serve. He constantly abides to prove His worthiness to be trusted. He transforms turmoil of heart to strength rooted in Him, our portion forever. Would we set our sights on Him and bless His name? (Psalm 103:1-8; Colossians 3:1-2)

Whom do we envy, and see ourselves as inferior or insufficient? On what do we fixate that breeds anger or resentment? When and what do we fear? Do we spend more time and energy looking askance at others and bewailing our circumstances, or up to heaven from where comes our help and strength? Opening our fists, correcting priorities, and redirecting thought to gratitude for His eternal sufficiency reminds us how good it is to be near God. At His right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Joshua 1:9; Psalm 16:8-11; 18:35; 121:1-2; Isaiah 41:10)

“Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water,
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea,
Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently,
By putting your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.” ~Gene McLellan (1970)

Lord, steer my thoughts and hold my hand.

“O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God: Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and the hills, the ravines and the valleys, the desolate wastes and the deserted cities, which have become a prey and derision to the rest of the nations all around..: I swear that the nations that are all around you shall themselves suffer reproach.

“But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord… And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 36:4,7-11,15

Ezekiel’s prophecy burst into and bathed desolate Israel with hope. They’d been toppled from the heights, crushed by the enemy, possessed as prey, fodder for derision and contempt, yet the Lord’s eye was on them. He would settle accounts, He would return and restore His beloved own.

When we are in the midst of an onslaught- external pressures or threats, misunderstandings, vitriolic relationships or debilitating circumstances, or internal conflicts or discouragement- relief is distant, hope elusive. It is hard to see beyond roiling turmoil or imagine the other side of imminent doom or failure. Disgrace and shame loom large, and paralyze, and suffocate. How could we ever be restored, or rise again?

Only God. Not only is He in the business of redemption, but He lavishly loves His children, and His way is redemption. He sent His Son to face disgrace head-on, bear it bleeding on the cruel cross, and vanquish it forever.

God’s people defiled and defile their holy calling, and deserve His wrath. In grace, and for the sake of His holiness, Jesus cleanses, delivers, recreates, invigorates, and rebuilds. In removing our disgrace His grace is on glorious display. Purity for filth, hope for despair, fruitfulness for desolation. He works a splendid conversion to make Himself known. (Ezekiel 36:16-36)

Where do we stand? Are we frozen in permanent shame, riddled with guilt, fearful of being known? Are we weary from struggling to improve ourselves or our lot, frustrated at circumstances, spitting blame? Have we experienced God’s kind cleansing, yet still harbor hardness of heart?

When the Lord’s fresh redeeming breath blows, restoring takes hold and spreads. Holy sun rises to lift spiritual fog, disgrace dissolves in freedom and joy. Divine life blooms in rich and fruitful color.

In whatever state we are, the Lord sees and loves us. He never betrays His character or His own. When will we welcome His full and ready redemption? (Romans 8:28-39)

Father, have full sway with me so I flourish for You.

“Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart… You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it… Now keep for David what you promised him, saying, “You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me…^” Let your word be confirmed…

“’Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to [this] prayer, O Lord my God,.. that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, “My name shall be there…” Listen to [thus] plea.., when [we] pray toward this place. Listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.'” 1 Kings 8:22-30

King Solomon had completed building the temple and the priests had set the ark of the covenant in place. Spreading his hands toward heaven before Israel, Solomon prayed, exalting the limitless loving God. Recounting His faithfulness, he boldly asked His continued favor and forgiveness on His weak and needy people as he dedicated them and the temple to God’s honor. (1 Kings 8:31-63)

Man’s work and prayer should always be intertwined. We contain afflictions of the heart, fickle devotion, and wandering affections, but also, by grace, the Spirit of God. When He calls us to specific roles and duties, He intends to flood our efforts with holy energy and purpose, and we have the privilege of calling on His help. If our work is truly for Him, we’ll seek His pleasure and blessing, and dedicate any achievement to His renown. (Ephesians 1:13-14; 6:5-7; Colossians 3:23-24)

In the flesh, we often turn inward, or forward with narrow focus. Driven by self-determined plans, we push to accomplish for our own ends. One deed done, we move to the next, with nary a thought to the Lord’s high intent or eternity.

When we lift aim, efforts, and hands to heaven, a broader vision opens with our outstretched arms. We glimpse higher purposes, we want others to know His majesty and grace. We take on assignments as part of His story, believing He who began the good work before us will complete it long after we’re finished. We do our part as mere vessels containing and displaying the uncontainable Almighty. (1 Corinthians 3:10-13; 2 Corinthians 4:7-11; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

To what ministry has the Lord called us in this season? How do our efforts contain and manifest the uncontainable God? What change of heart or practice can we implement to dedicate our work to Him and make Him known? When we are deliberate in offering ourselves for God’s purposes and pleasure, He is ready to bless. (Psalm 90:17)

Lord, keep me in humbled awe at Your grace and greatness, so my work brings You the honor You deserve.

“Lord, you were favorable to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
    you covered all their sin. 
You withdrew all your wrath;
    you turned from your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation…
Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.”

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy…
For you are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you…

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
    nor are there any works like yours…
You are great and do wondrous things;
    you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
    unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol…

You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Turn and be gracious to me…
You, Lord, have helped and comforted me.” Psalm 85:1-4,6-7; 86:1,5,8,10-13,15-17

The psalmists’ know that God’s anger is righteous, and that by nature He is merciful and forgiving. All restoration flows from His steadfast love. They also know the brokenness that Christ came to restore, and that His wondrous work begins by uniting the human heart. His lavish redemption must meet the willing sinner to effect its gracious revival.

In daily stresses and conundrums, we turn to many a solution. Tackle quick issues, ignore bothersome ones, solve problems, delegate responsibilities. Failures of completion, fortitude, or morality can eat at us, yet we placate unease with distraction or angst over the only true resolution.

Enter the grace-filled God who woos us to submission. He lifts thought and turns affection to desire His wholeness. He plants the plea for a united heart, then masterfully accomplishes the work. We are the settled and grateful beneficiaries, freed to rejoice.

Where are we yearning for restoration- of vitality in prayer, passion for righteousness, strained relationships, clear direction? What hidden places of the soul- stores of stubbornness, disdain, resentment, blame, personal rights- are resisting the Lord’s intervention? What foreign loves or misguided fears, ugly attitudes or extenuating pressures divide our hearts? What pride holds us back from surrendering our wills to God’s gracious healing?

The great Redeemer longs to restore, to make right and whole. He made us for wondrous things and beckons us come. If we truly want His sway over all of us, we will yield our folly and fractured devotion to His loving management, and be restored. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

“Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind;
in purer lives Thy service find,
in deeper rev’rence, praise.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of Thy peace.” ~John Greenleaf Whittier (1872)

Lord, restore my soul and undivided heart so I rightly fear and praise Your name.

“Solomon loved the Lord… God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you.^‘ Solomon said, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father… And you have… given him a son to sit on his throne.., although I am but a child. I do not know how to go out or come in. [I am] in the midst of your people.., too many to be numbered… Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern your great people?’

“God said,.. ‘I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you [nor] shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you.’” 1 Kings 3:3,5-8,11-13

“Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, let me recover my sight.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” Mark 10:51-52

King David had just died, and Solomon had inherited the kingdom. When the Lord appeared and asked what He should give him, Solomon humbly recounted His steadfast love to David and, admitting his inadequacy to serve God’s great people as king, asked for wisdom. Bartimaeus the blind beggar, when asked by Jesus what he wanted Him to do for him, boldly asked for recovered sight. Both royalty and pauper acknowledged his own inability, and confidence in the One they knew was able and willing to do what they asked. And they received beyond their imagining. (1 Kings 4:29-34)

How and what do we ask of God? Provincial thinking and narrow, selfish living can reduce potential prayers to wish lists for ease and smooth sailing. We might live with such limited vision that we cannot imagine possibilities beyond our conventional, manicured scope.

Or, we might be in such desperate longtime straits that we cannot envision anything different. Why ask God when things never change? Certainly there’s no broader purpose or anything deeper I’m to learn about myself or Him when all I can do is survive?

We limit hope before the limitless God! Do we think too much of ourselves and too little of Him? Why settle for spiritual mediocrity? We converse with an all-powerful king! Why do we ask so little?

What if we approached prayer as a mendicant before the benevolent, merciful Sovereign of the universe? In glorious splendor, compassion, and generosity. He inquires what He can do for us. What would we ask if we could have anything possible, knowing His ways are higher than ours, His plans good, eternal, and sanctifying? (Isaiah 55:8-9; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28-30; Philippians 4:19)

What particular wisdom, patience, or grace do we lack in home and workplace? What physical or material needs are distracting and burdensome? What angst over loved ones do we carry alone? Would we ask Jesus? Would we trust His love, mercy, desire, and bounty? What do we have not because we have asked not? (Matthew 7:7-8; James 4:2-3)

Ephesians 3:20-21

Lord, may I boldly ask and ever be grateful and amazed at Your abundantly more.

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work… 

“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God… They will glorify God because of your submission that comes from… the generosity of your contribution for them and all others, while they long for and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8,10-14

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.” Luke 12:48

God’s ways and thinking have always been higher than man’s, and one place this is particularly and obviously emphasized is in man’s view of bounty. Man thinks he’s in control of earning and increase, yet all we own is from God. Man invests and amasses for quantity’s sake within a limited perspective of time, while the Lord is concerned with motive and end and eternal value. Man holds onto, God gives away. The scriptures teach how to connect human drive with heavenly mindset, to think rightly here below about handling what the Lord entrusts to His children. The Lord always out-gives what man can produce or offer. (Proverbs 3:9-10; Ecclesiastes 11:1; Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17)

The world has such an inverted view of numbers. We make much of accumulation and excess, and so little of sacrifice. In divine math, God calls us to abound in giving, and in heavenly measure we receive all the more. (Proverbs 11:24-25; Luke 6:38; Romans 12:6-8)

How cheerfully do I give? How loose is my hold on what the Lord has loaned to me? When have I prayed over my resources and released them for His kingdom? What is the Lord leading me to change about my attitude and execution of divine math?

“Lord, you love the cheerful giver,
who with open heart and hand
blesses freely, as a river
that refreshes all the land.
Grant us then the grace of giving
with a spirit large and free,
that our life and all our living
we may consecrate to thee.

Blest by thee with gifts and graces,
may we heed thy church’s call;
gladly in all times and places
give to thee who givest all.
Thou hast bought us, and no longer
can we claim to be our own;
ever free and ever stronger,
we shall serve thee, Lord, alone.

Thine own life thou freely gavest
as an off’ring on the cross
for each sinner whom thou savest
from eternal shame and loss.
Humbly now we bow before thee,
and our all to thee resign;
for the kingdom, pow’r, and glory
are, O Lord, forever thine.” ~Robert Murray (1898)

Lord, open my fists to praise You for Your astounding, ongoing bounty.

“Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men…

“I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him.” 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; 12:18

Paul names many servants of Christ in his letters. Fellow missionaries, church leaders, varied ministers are often described, commended, and greeted. His repeated mention of the mysterious ‘brother’ to the Corinthians highlights the aim of his life: Christ exalted, self abased. A fellow traveler with Paul, an earnest and dynamic preacher of the gospel, a stalwart among missionaries, he remains nameless, ‘the brother’ hidden behind the Lord he portrays.

Oh, how man relishes being famous! Striving to be known for achievements, acquaintances, attainments, endorsements, individuals pose and post, present and pop off to put their names in lights. Pretense and puff, any notoriety for temporal accomplishments and superficial experiences, are spiritually insubstantial in God’s sight. There may be no hiding of opinion or activity, but likely much concealing of an empty soul.

For the Christian, the gospel is primary. Those sold out to Jesus want Him seen, known, and adored. The richer our relationship with Him, the more He increases and we decrease. We live and serve to make Him famous, to glorify His name, increasingly fulfilling our God-created purpose. Is this our desire? (Isaiah 49:3; John 3:30; 1 Corinthians 2:2-5)

We may say we want to honor God, but what do our words and actions betray? Are we more about posturing self, or presenting Christ? Does insecurity or fear hide our faith, or do we gladly, boldly, hide behind Him?

What evidence is there in our demeanor, attitudes, actions, and speech that we’ve been marked by the Word? How does it daily adorn our countenance, shape affections, inform decisions? How can we, as a called brother or sister, serve earnestly, befriend faithfully, and preach honorably, so Jesus Christ- His name and power and graces and salvation- are made famous?

Worthy Lord, cover me in You so my life brings You alone the praise and fame You deserve.