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Charnock
04-09-2011, 10:43 PM
I hear a lot of people talk about how they want to be remembered, and what type of legacy they want to leave behind. I suppose the desire to leave some sort of "I was here" message is perfectly human, and normal.

However, a few months ago I realized that I had fallen into a never-ending, and always unsatisfying, performance trap of trying to please everyone around me by living up to their unrealistic expectations.

~ I believed if I could somehow succeed in building an edifice for the Lord, it would be the capstone of decades of ministerial service. And yet after ten years of building a congregation, and purchasing a tiny, insignificant house of worship that was visually unappealing, I could no longer bear up under the strain of the mission. I lacked the tools, resources and manpower to finish the job. I walked away - handing the baton to another man. Many people told me I wasn't a failure, that I hadn't failed....but the fact that they found it necessary to encourage me in that way confirmed that in some ways I had failed.

~ I believed if I planted seeds of mercy into the lives of other individuals, and mentored young men without reservation, I would eventually be treated with respect. So, to that end I gave away hundreds of books, spent thousands of hours encouraging peers and followers, and doled out ungodly sums in the hope of garnering allegiance. Yet, when my strength failed, no hands were present to help and heal. Whispers of "what's wrong with him" filtered through my social group. No one called. No one encouraged.

Please understand that this is not a cry for sympathy, or a therapy session. I just want to say that in the months since "I failed" God has restored me. He's renewed me. He's encouraged me. He's removed some wrong ideas, and blessed me with new ones.

I now realize that I was more in love with a religious model that I was with Him.

I now realize that great accomplishments, and amazing successes, are soon yesterday's news.

I wish someone would have told me what I'm now telling you.


In the end, the only thing that will matter is you and Jesus.
Do what you do to please Him or don't do it at all.
The recognition of this world is fickle and fleeting.
The minute the crowd following you figures out you have little left to offer they will fade away.
Most people couldn't tell you who the founding pastor of their church was. Very few people remember those who've gone before.



100 years from now, very few people will remember we breathed this earth's oxygen. But what we do, and the reasons behind what we do, have eternal consequences.

Continue to work for the Lord with all of your might. Work while there is still day, and you are still able. But remember, your family will write your obituary. They will determine your legacy.

I think it would do us well to search for His recognition, instead of the crowd's.

Raven
04-10-2011, 05:20 AM
Good thoughts Charnock! Looking back to the last chapter of your book, from the new one you are now writing, you are a wiser man today. Congratulations!

UnTraditional
04-10-2011, 06:12 AM
My dear Charnock, you have spoken well. This modern performance based system of Christianity which has gripped and yes strangled the ministry is one that is killing men spiritually, and leaving them to wallow in the mire of doubt and fear. When we do what we do unto the Lord alone, He receives the glory. This alone is the highest call of the believer, not to be recognized and exalted by men, but to hear our Maaster say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Do we fall? I know above all that yes, we fall. Do we fail men? As surely as they are fickle. But, I thank God that after all the trials and torments I went through, all the abuses of men and attacks of the faith and myself I endure, all the attempts I made to garner favor by being a poster boy for a movement, I found Christ's acceptance in being just what He wants, and working to do what He wants, even if I get no Amens down here. I have found peace in my beliefs, and strength in the house of faith in Christ alone.

Falla39
04-10-2011, 07:14 AM
Good thoughts Charnock! Looking back to the last chapter of your book, from the new one you are now writing, you are a wiser man today. Congratulations!

And what book would that be??

jen4yeshua
04-11-2011, 02:17 AM
I wish someone would have told me what I'm now telling you.
In the end, the only thing that will matter is you and Jesus.
Do what you do to please Him or don't do it at all.
The recognition of this world is fickle and fleeting.
The minute the crowd following you figures out you have little left to offer they will fade away.
Most people couldn't tell you who the founding pastor of their church was. Very few people remember those who've gone before.

100 years from now, very few people will remember we breathed this earth's oxygen. But what we do, and the reasons behind what we do, have eternal consequences.

Continue to work for the Lord with all of your might. Work while there is still day, and you are still able. But remember, your family will write your obituary. They will determine your legacy.

I think it would do us well to search for His recognition, instead of the crowd's.

Thank you for telling!

mfblume
04-11-2011, 03:42 PM
This is a very true and important revelation. We need to forget about impressing people and ensure we impress God alone. Jesus sought to impress no man. That is why he washed people's feet, knowing full well he had all things given into his hand from the Father. Most of us want people to KNOW what we got from God. But the reason the servant of all is the greatest in the kingdom is because the one who has GREAT FAITH needs no pats on the back from anyone else, since they KNOW they please God and have no need of assurance of that from people.

We need to find our identity in Christ alone, and not from what we've done that impresses people.

mizpeh
04-11-2011, 04:51 PM
This is a very true and important revelation. We need to forget about impressing people and ensure we impress God alone. Jesus sought to impress no man. That is why he washed people's feet, knowing full well he had all things given into his hand from the Father. Most of us want people to KNOW what we got from God. But the reason the servant of all is the greatest in the kingdom is because the one who has GREAT FAITH needs no pats on the back from anyone else, since they KNOW they please God and have no need of assurance of that from people.

We need to find our identity in Christ alone, and not from what we've done that impresses people.

Amen! :thumbsup

freeatlast
04-11-2011, 05:02 PM
I love you Charnock. Great respect for you too.

The Lemon
04-12-2011, 07:46 AM
Beutifully written, and so true! I believe the phrase "Personal Relationship with God", has come under alot of critique, but that is what we all need, a personal relationship. I believe this relationship is so personal that it truly is about the individual and Jesus.

I am not advocating that there is no need for one another, but there are seasons of life that Jesus understands, but your neighbor or your brother/sister in Christ may not understand. The truth is people are fickle, and everyone does not have the same list of priorities, that is just life.

I can relate on so many levels with this post. I know what it is like to follow, be followed, and be left.

pelathais
04-12-2011, 03:15 PM
Inspiring thoughts, Charnock.