FAITH VS. FAME (LUKE 8:40-56)

Chapter 22

FAITH VS. FAME

(Luke 8:40-56)

As a teenager growing up my dreams were shaped by the American culture with the desire to become famous and be in front of crowds. I first experienced this in sports being a standout football and basketball player. I also joined a lip-sync group where surprisingly I experienced a taste of being a teen heart-throb, signing autographs, even fans stalking me, all just because I got on stage and tried to mimic stars, weird. This life of stardom is what I longed for. My future was all about how I can become great in the eyes of others.

Just because I am a Christian does not mean these thoughts just leave me. The desire for fame is still there. Recently, I was more honored before others than what I ever imagined, it could easily go to my head. Yet I know that God has a way to keep me humble, He uses people like my wife and children who see all my faults, and different circumstances to do just that. I have learned that any honor given me is for the purpose of glorifying God.  So to Him be all the Glory and Praise!

We see in Luke 8:40-56 Jesus constantly being surrounded by crowds yet He didn't lose focus of ministering to individuals.  Crowds can be loud and demanding, making it hard to hear and therefore be sensitive to God's guidance.  

We all know people who are one way in person and another way around other people.  Jesus remained the same.  Many ministers today get more caught up on how to draw and maintain a crowd than truly touching the lives of individuals.  Many of them are untouchable, you can't get close to them unless you are part of their inner circle, there only connection with the majority of the people is when they are on the stage.  I have tried to interact with some so called great leaders out their and they don't even take me on, as if I hardly exist, if I haven't done some great accomplishment yet, they make me feel I am a waste of their time.

Jesus the son of God, the greatest of all human beings who ever lived, loves and cares about each individual in this world, and doesn't ignore any who seek Him for help. 

Here in the midst of the crowd Jesus responded to the needs of Jairus concerning his daughter, and the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years.  Jairus was a ruler, the woman with the issue of blood was of no reputation yet Jesus healed for He has no reputation to keep and He seeks no glory of His own.  When it was told that the the daughter of Jairus was now dead, Jesus went to his house with the crowds laughing at Him as He took her by the hand and brought her back to life.

Walking by faith will eventually bring fame, because of the amazing miracles that God does through us.  We must remember that faith is trusting in God to do what only He can do, therefore we can never take any credit, or what fame we have taken from God will end in shame.