“Isn’t it enough that you should be My servant…?” (Is 49:6. R.P.V…. “Ron’s Paraphrased Version”). Sadly there are some ministers who conduct themselves as if they are rock stars. Others want to BE ministerial rock stars. As if it isn’t enough to be and do what they are where they’ve been called.
Must a man serve in a big church to think himself successful? Must a person serve on denominational boards to be influential? Must a minister be well known… a ministerial rock star of sorts… to be in God’s Hall of Faith? Of course the answers are no. However, many ministers have fallen to the temptation that because they aren’t well known serving a big church of great influence, they are somehow not successful. By the same token, some believers like to ride the bandwagon of attending a prominent church where a well known preacher preaches.
Church membership is not about having needs met, but following God’s call to a congregation. Ministers should also be more concerned about God’s call than climbing the ministerial ladder.
Isn’t it enough to be God’s servant… to have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life… to serve GOD wherever and however He chooses? If God places a person in a dry and barren land… so be it. Serve faithfully. If God calls you to be a member of Extremely Rural Church #3… so be it. Serve faithfully. If no one pats you on the back or recognizes you or thanks you… it is enough to know that you are loved by the King and you are serving THE King!
When the Apostles were excited that they could cast out demons, Jesus told them “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). The it is written in Ps 84:10, “A day in (God’s) courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
It is better to be unknown by the world and known in heaven by the Lord Jesus. So what if everyone knows you but Jesus doesn’t?