John’s disciples were jealous that the disciples of Jesus were baptizing more people than John, and that all the crowds that were coming to John, were now flocking to Jesus! Yet John was content to fulfill his role of preparing the way, and pointing people to the one who came after him – Jesus.

Every faithful missionary longs to be fruitful for the glory of God. Yet, beneath that longing often lies a hidden desire for recognition. Too easily our identity becomes tied to the ministry we lead or the position we hold. The real test comes when those roles pass into other hand – when what we built is carried forward without us, and our names fade from memory.

The Challenge to the Soul

My soul, can you endure becoming unnecessary within the very work you once poured your life into? Can you rejoice when your disciples succeed, though your own name is forgotten?

Can you step aside gladly, and humbly leave the work to someone else who does not have your exact gifts, experiences or influence? Yet this is the way of Christ, who entrusted His mission to weak and often failing followers. 

My soul, are you able to appoint Timothy and then sail away to imprisonment in Rome? Are you able to trust God to raise up His leaders in a way similar to how God worked to raise you?

Soul can you stand having your exploits forgotten, your sacrifices overlooked, your ideas ignored? Yes, O soul, can you bear irrelevance? Yet, this is what must be faced by every Christian who wants God glorified to the ends of the earth!

Can you rejoice when others get the accolades  and praise? Can you quietly accept obscurity, content that Christ is seen even if you are not? Can you continue faithfully in the shadows, bearing the lack of recognition all so that the glory of God may shine brightly through others?

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