Knocked Off The Pedestal

When we see someone “up front”, we automatically assume they’re in that spot because of some gift or talent or message they have to convey and they, therefore, “have it all together”.  That’s actually a dangerous assumption and often is false.  At least the having it all together part.  Yet, people may hide behind that with the attitude of  “do as I say, not as I do”.  Richard Foster addressed the issue of easily becoming puffed up in his book Money, Sex and Power,  each of which is very seductive and tempting.  And, Jesus also dealt with this when He admonished the scribes and Pharisees multiple times as He warned in Matthew 23:3 “therefore, all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say things and do not do them.”  He continues in v. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees!  For you are like white-washed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

Jonathan Burr was a pastor in Suffolk, England in the 1600s, but eventually came to New England where he continued to minister and preach in Dorchester, Massachusetts, until his death at the age of 37.  One particular quote from him struck me as he liked to say, “I preach not what I am, but what I ought to be.”  This resonated with me as I write this blog every week.  The Lord gives me ideas and often is speaking to me about how I personally need to change or improve.  Sharing these things is a sort of personal journey and can, at times, feel vulnerable.  Yet, I pray I am not alone in this journey called life and that, at least occasionally, something might hit you where I am, also.  But, the reminder to the Pharisees involves getting chopped down a notch or two which never hurt anyone.  It’s a dose of reality.

Has this ever happened to you?  You don’t have to be “up front” for someone to view you in high regard which can then make you feel uncomfortable – since we know ourselves so well.

1 Corinthians 12 tells us that God equips us each to be different parts of the body and that none is more important than the other.  We need each other.  He made us to depend on Him first and then on each other.  Celebrities are prone to consider themselves above others because of their fame and notoriety.  But, as someone once said, “He puts his pants on just like everybody else.”

Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate the importance we place on those we “follow” on TV or in books or online.  Something they say may be helpful but only if it points to the true Messenger and Provider.  And, before we think of ourselves as “spiritually elite” and better than others, let us “remove the plank in our own eye first.”  (Matthew 7:5)  Better to hop off the pedestal than to get knocked off!

“Do nothing from selfishness or vain conceit but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself.”  (Philippians 2:3)