Seeking the Spotlight

We live in a time where everyone wants their piece of fame. If they're not lining up by the millions to go on reality shows, they're posting videos on YouTube. If they aren't on YouTube, they're begging for followers on Twitter.  If not on Twitter, they're agonizing over how many "friends" they have on Facebook. Parents are pushing their children to be the next great star and thrusting them onto world stages.

This world is crying out for their fifteen minutes of fame whether we want to see them or not.

Jesus warned about seeking notoriety. In Luke 14:11 He said, For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. I believe this is why so many people in the spotlight fall away so often. They've blown themselves up, and, in the end, they don't pass under pressure and scrutiny.

Jesus says that those who are humble will be exalted. Those who do things in secret. Those who act out of the kindness of their heart, not looking for acknowledgement. Those who choose to give of themselves whether they are thanked or not. These are the types of people God looks for to exalt.

God has given us all dreams and visions for our lives. Those dreams may involve you "blowing up" or becoming really well-known. There is nothing bad in making a name for yourself. It's the spirit that you go into that realm that determines things. Are you going after your dream to get yourself fame and fortune? Or, are you working to help enrich the lives of others? Are you working on your craft because you're so big and bad? Or, are you giving the talent or gift God has given you out as an offering back to Him?

God doesn't care about your status, fame, or fortune. He could care less how many people know your name or what great things you've been able to accomplish... even if it's in His name. What He does care about is your heart. He's looking at your motivation. He's looking at the state of your spirit.

Are you humbly going after your dream giving credit where credit is due? Or, are you going forth in a spirit of pride and selfishness only looking for personal gain?

Be careful how you go forth in your purpose and destiny! You don't want your arrival at the top to be short lived.

Verse of the Day: Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had...he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names... Philippians 2:3-5a, 8, 9 (NLT)