Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Daily bread

People around the world instantly recognize Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch from the children’s TV show Sesame Street. But Caroll Spinney is not a well-known celebrity, even though he has brought both characters to life on the popular program since 1969. A skilled puppeteer, Spinney has been content to work behind the scenes.

I believe God calls every follower of Jesus to take a similar approach in making Him known to the world. John the Baptist told his listeners: “I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ . . . He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:28,30). John acknowledged that he was not the bridegroom, but only His friend (v.29).

Oswald Chambers reminds us: “Goodness and purity ought never to attract attention to themselves, they ought simply to be magnets to draw to Jesus Christ. A beautiful saint may be a hindrance if he does not present Jesus Christ but only what Christ has done for him; he will leave the impression—‘What a fine character that man is!’—that is not being a true friend of the Bridegroom; I am increasing all the time, He is not.”

Jesus the Savior is onstage. We must be behind the scenes. —David C. McCasland

When you share the Lord with others,
See that He is on display;
For the world to see Him clearly,
We must not get in the way. —Sper

He who glories, let him glory in the Lord. —2 Corinthians 10:17

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Interesting thing is that its also in those places of obscurity that the Lord lifts one up to the limelight.Not that it was sought, but rather, the servitude behind the scenes promoted one to the top where they were seen by all.I think of David, Gideon, Mary the mother of Jesus, the disciples...all were people whose lives were pleasing to the Father in private and obedient to His call and their living afforded them to be used of God in a manner that we still talk about them many years later.....so you never know, as you quietly serve God, He may just put out there in a place you'd have never imagined.But at the same time remember, there are those whose names are not mentioned, but made a whole lot a difference in this walk we walk(read Hebrews Faith Chapter).