Diamonds in Tupperware

When my kids were little, they loved to 'help' me when I was working around the house. Every parent knows what I'm talking about. When they're too young to run the lawnmower, they want to. But when they are old enough, the desire evaporates like morning mist. The eagerness to 'help' Dad, meant they would be perfectly positioned in the way, 99% of the time. Helpful son would be standing right where I needed to place that heavy load in my arms. He would be holding up the end that needed to be put down. But, who could be angry with him? His desire for my approval and the eagerness to be 'with' Dad captivated my heart.

In much the same way, I know that I often get in God's way! Like an overly eager child who wants to 'help,' I find myself standing right where God wants to move, speaking when I should be listening, and doing when I should be learning. It's not a pride thing most of the time, anyway. I am not trying to take God's place; I just want to 'help' Him. As I was preparing my heart for the worship services yesterday I was growing increasingly anxious about the message that I had prepared. Early Sunday morning as I read through the text and my notes, I complained to no one in particular, "I can't take this to the pulpit. This isn't worth preaching!" Then, I felt the hand of God on me and heard His voice in my heart say, "Don't get in My way!" He was reminding me again that if I made Jerry's performance the focus of the sermon then people would respond only to me and His work would not be done in the most effective way. All He wanted me to do was my best, while letting Him lead. My desire needed to be that He was lifted up and that I would be eclipsed by His glory!

Believer, do you allow yourself to get in God's way?
Does the desire to perform cause you to lose sight of what God wants done?

How easily we are fooled into thinking we are much more important to God's work than we really are. When I start to feel like He couldn't get His work done without me, I remind myself of Balaam's donkey! Numbers tells us the story of a prophet who got his priorities mixed up. As he was on his way, God sent an angel to block the road. The man was so determined to do what he thought needed to be done, that he did not perceive God's messenger, but his donkey did. Here's how the Bible recounts what happened next. "God’s angel blocked the way yet again—a very narrow passage this time; there was no getting through on the right or left. Seeing the angel, Balaam’s donkey sat down under him. Balaam lost his temper; he beat the donkey with his stick. Then God gave speech to the donkey. She said to Balaam: "What have I ever done to you that you have beat me these three times?" (Numbers 22:26-28, The Message) A donkey saved a prophet's life and even spoke!

This doesn't mean that we are worthless, or that God doesn't need us, or that we can do His work carelessly. But, ministry of any kind (that's just service, by the way) is never about us. It's always about Him! We don't serve so we can feel useful, or so people admire our spirituality, or with the desire that our abilities will be applauded. If we do, we're just in the way. We serve so that God's glory shines through. Paul uses this homely metaphor to drive home that point. "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV) His allusion is to the ordinary household vessels of the day that were used for water, food, etc. In today's jargon, he might write it this way, "God's glory in us is like diamonds stored in Tupperware." It's not the container that is the treasure, it's what's inside!

By the way, when I got God out front and forgot about myself in the delivery of that sermon, there was amazing joy and deep fulfillment. And, God did exactly what needed to be done. Hallelujah!
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Stand still and see His glory.
Hallelujah! 'Tis wondrous,
His victories and triumphs.
Stand still, ye people,
Be silent and see His glory,
Hallelujah! His glory,
Hallelujah!
Stand still and see His glory.

Stand still and see His glory;
Watch as His mysteries unfold.
Bask in the sweetness
of pure Living Waters,
Refreshing, reviving the soul.
All hail His infinite wisdom!
None is so mighty as He.
Master, Creator of all things enduring,
None else is so precious to me.

Stand Still and See His Glories

Dottie Rambo© 1977 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) /
CCLI License No. 810055