Something's Not Adding Up

[votivesoul]

For me, this is what it comes down to:

There are those who are ever learning, but not able to come to the knowledge of the truth. They may have a Doctor of Divinity degree from a prestigious seminary, they may have studied Near Eastern languages, and can translate the Bible on the fly. They know the commentary, and are considered by many to be the elite of the theologians of the world, and still be so far off from actually knowing anything that actually matters, like the Godhead, or the Gospel, or etc., that all their learning hasn't done jack for them when it comes to salvation, eternal life, and etc.

Additionally, there are those who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. The seem to walk the walk, talk the talk, and from all outward appearances, seem to be the real deal, a bonafide believer in Jesus Christ. But when it comes to seeing the power of God manifest in their life, they come up short. Why? Paul wrote to the Corinthians that the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power, and he knew there were many who were puffed up there, and when he arrived, he intended to see a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit in them, to find out whether they were all fluff, a bunch of talking heads who sounded spiritual, but couldn't prove beyond their yammering that the Holy Spirit was truly active and immersed into their endeavors.

Then there are those humble folks who sincerely love God, love His Word, stand for truth, and etc., but feel like they aren't as spiritual as others, because the charismata never seem to happen in and through them. It's always someone else getting used by God. They never get asked to lead, teach, preach, or what have you, because someone else is always being anointed by the Holy Spirit to do those things. They remain confused. They serve God the best they know how, they are always available to the church for whatever ministry needs a helping hand, but inwardly they doubt themselves and their relationship with the Father, because to them, He seems to play favorites.

All of this and more, but look again at Ananias. He has no particular claim to fame in the Bible, except to be the one to bring the Gospel to Paul. That may seem like small potatoes, but being the one to evangelize the greatest evangelist the world has ever seen is as important as doing anything else. If Ananias doesn't obey the Lord, what happens? Who knows?

My point is, if a person will just shutter all the negative garbage that goes through their head, and simply find the better part at the feet of Messiah, hearing His words, if they will simply cultivate a lively intimacy and devoted following to their Master, the Lord will speak with them, and one day, if they do nothing else in the Kingdom that seems to matter, if they do nothing else but hear from God, obey him, and minister to one lost sinner, like Ananias, they may end up bringing a great man or woman of God into the sheepfold.

It's all about perspective. The rat-race is alive and well in Pentecost. Martha is overburdened and complaining, nagging the Lord to make someone else do the serving for a change, jealous of the ones who don't seem to be doing anything but sitting down with Christ at His table.

Ministerial burnout is at an all-time high, if the stats are to be believed. And in my estimation, burnout only occurs when someone starts carrying a burden God didn't give to them. Many ministers around the globe can preach the rafters down, but can't befriend a lonely man on a park bench and talk to him about Jesus. I am of the opinion that the latter matters more than the former.

Martha can throw a great party. She is the host with the most. But inwardly, she's craving attention, feeling angry, and wanting to give up, because Mary is where she, Martha, knows she ought to be.

So, if we would emulate anyone, if we would "be" anyone, why not be an Ananias, who was so intimate with the Lord, that He and Jesus had an actual, lengthy dialogue. Jesus personally invited him into the throne-room and talked with him about the private counsel of God regarding the man who would go on to write most of the New Testament. When's the last time something like that happened to you?

Can it? Should it? Or is it only reserved for the special? The elite of the elect? I submit the last shall be first. It's better to be a porter in the house of the LORD than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. There are a lot of big names out there, and a lot of them are corrupt. There are also a lot of no namers who haven't gotten a single accolade for anything they are or do. Just like Jesus, their voice is not heard crying in the streets. But they likely know their Savior better than most. I would rather be that person. Wouldn't you?