Earlier this week I read an article with one little quip that I cannot get out of my spirit: the only applause we are meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands.
It was so inspiring and so convicting. We care so much about our reputation. We care so much about our approval ratings. We care so much about what people think. But we need to die to those things. I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but we don't really care for people until we don't care what they think. We can't really help them until we've been crucified to their opinions. Only then do we preach with an anointed boldness.
I have a distant memory from many years ago when I didn't feel good about a message and my wise wife asked me a brilliant question: did you say what God wanted you to say? That is the only litmus test when it comes to preaching. Was God pleased with my message? Unfortunately, many of us measure our messages by human applause.
May we be deafened to human applause. After all, the only applause we are meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands.
It was so inspiring and so convicting. We care so much about our reputation. We care so much about our approval ratings. We care so much about what people think. But we need to die to those things. I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but we don't really care for people until we don't care what they think. We can't really help them until we've been crucified to their opinions. Only then do we preach with an anointed boldness.
I have a distant memory from many years ago when I didn't feel good about a message and my wise wife asked me a brilliant question: did you say what God wanted you to say? That is the only litmus test when it comes to preaching. Was God pleased with my message? Unfortunately, many of us measure our messages by human applause.
May we be deafened to human applause. After all, the only applause we are meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands.
6 Comments:
A great reminder for me this morning Mark. I'm preaching, but we've moved our worship from 6 p.m. to 3:00 because of the Vikings game. In addition it's icy and sleeting. Trying to just show up, trust God to do what only He can do, and pray that He is honored.
I would say "Bravo"- but then it would appear as if I'd missed your point ;)
TBD
Mark,
I think you might be referring to this poem, by BJ Hoff:
"It matters not
if the world has heard
or approves or understands...
The only applause
we're meant to seek
Is that of nail-scarred hands."
BJ is a fantastic author. If you want to check out her web site, you can visit it here
awesome! i've reposted this for my friends! i love your statement, "may we be deafened to human applause." truly awesome!
LOVE this! Such a beautiful reminder of the reason we live.
Thanks! This was truly encouraging.
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