Remaining Anonymous

Honestly, I do not know who said it first but it was a mission statement that has stayed with me for years now: To make Jesus famous while remaining anonymous. Perhaps it was John the Baptist who first said it when he said of Jesus, "He must increase, I must decrease." So much of our culture, even church culture, revolves around the great personalities like Billy Graham, or Rick Warren. Not trying to take anything away from the great work that they do and have done, but the vast majority of ministry still takes place in small corners of the world by virtually unknown pastors, pouring themselves out for the sake of the gospel. These men of God, will not write best sellers, or pastor mega churches. They may never get the chance to proclaim the good news to a stadium full of people. Nevertheless, the work they do is real, and their position worthy. "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven." It is not given that there be more than one Billy Graham in the world.
When I was in college, I have to admit I was smitten at times by the temptation to desire a name for myself, to find a position in a large church or teaching in a college, where I could be well paid, respected, and highly esteemed. Aspiring to greatness is not a bad thing. Jesus did not criticize his disciples for wanting to be great, but for their ideas of what greatness was. He said instead that he who would be great, must be a servant. The one who would be first must be a slave of all. God forbid that we would twist Jesus' instruction to justify complacency or mediocrity. Instead we see it as a royal incentive to strive for excellency at what ever task we are set to, big or small. It was this ideal that set me on a course to be a "missionary" in rural Kentucky. I initially chose to serve in this area, not because it was a career move that would get me somewhere else, but because I perceived a great need for the gospel, and for trained ministers to serve here. No regrets. Its not about me, its about Jesus. If, in the few years that I am granted on this earth I can faithfully proclaim his good news, love and care for the souls he has placed in my charge; if I can give my very best to whoever, wherever he sends me, I will be satisfied making Jesus famous while remaining anonymous.

Are They all yours?

I cannot begin to tell you how often we get asked that question. It began when our fourth was born, and has not stopped. Sometimes this question was followed up with, " are you done yet?" As time goes on we have come across some creative answers for these questions, but have never become comfortable with the deeper meaning underlying them. These questions reveal a prevailing attitude that haunts the western world. Having children is an option, a luxury, an inconvenience. This attitude is reaping its effects in Europe where some nations are in population decline. It is the reflection of a culture that is increasingly self absorbed. Not only have we forgotten history, we have dismissed the future. We are wrapped up in our own little world, our own pleasure, our own careers, getting our own slice of the pie. But in so doing we have missed out on one of the greatest joys and purposes a married couple can enjoy--children. They are a gift and a joy. They do not cost us they enrich us. Our children add more to our lives than words can describe. They are ripples in the pond of the human race that will reach ever widening circles, increasing exponentially the meaning and purpose of our own lives. Our children will carry our legacy, each one adding his or her own story and passing it on to their children, impacting further reaches of the world. It is a legacy of faith- faith that does not cut itself off from the world, sending it away to "hell in a hand basket." Rather, it is faith that embraces life, this good earth that God has created and the people of this world whom God so loved that he sent his only Son, Jesus, to die for. God has not abandoned this world, he has embraced it, investing himself in it as a tiny seed, two thousand years ago, in Palestine. That seed has grown, and spread much like the little yeast that works through the whole dough. He himself has been present in his disciples, bringing hope and a future to the lives of all those who accept his gift of salvation.
This is the faith, the hope, the mission that we pass on to our children. Is eight children enough? Are we done yet? What would you say?