Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

• Philippians 2:3-4

“To be humble in heart … is to be submissive to the core.  It involves being more interested in serving the needs of others than in having one’s own needs met.
“Someone who is truly unselfish is generous with his or her time and possessions, energy and money.  As that works its way out, it is demonstrated in various ways, such as thoughtfulness and gentleness, an unpretentious spirit, and servant-hearted leadership.”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedtime Blessings

I think of something that Will Graham said about his grandfather.  Billy Graham thought it would take him a long time to get to see Jesus once he passed away.  Billy Graham passed away in 2018.

Why did Billy Graham feel that way?  The Evangelism team where he was the face of the organization had so many people who worked hard behind the scenes and they never got any public acclaim.  Billy Graham felt he had already received his recognition by the worldly recognition of his name.  He felt he must wait until the rest of his team had gotten their facetime with Jesus.

Of course, he used that recognition to glorify God, and to spread the Gospel.  But his recognition comes short in practice with the Scripture above, but not the spirit.

In many cases, it is not up to us as to whether we are recognized for the contribution that we make.  What we are to do is to say ”Yes” when God calls us to do His will.  If God needs us to achieve recognition in order to do His will, then we must humbly deal with that complication in placing Jesus at the forefront and ourselves in the background.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.