Our call to greatness, not all the BIG things we do (Mary’s good thing…that will be remembered…) loving Jesus, being with Him, paying attention to Him, putting Him first!
“My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret” Psalm 139:16
God has created each of us for greatness. Not the greatness of a stage or a title or a degree, though He may use those things in our lives. He may even let the applause of others encourage and help us grow. But the sweetest greatness starts with being rooted, being made and nurtured in secret, being seen by God alone. – Pg 67
Here are some key sentences, phrases that stood out to me in Chapter 4:
*I could also be great at two o’clock in the morning holding a sick baby or in stepping away from a leadership position at church so someone else could take the limelight
*that greatness comes in quietly serving a friend who would never thank me, leaving my task list unfinished to read to a child, that dormant seasons would not be unsuccessful seasons
*We become great when we genuinely, happily serve in unacknowledged ways and places because that is where we find the sustaining face of God, especially when no one else sees us or applauds us.
It’s in these times that our roots grow deep, partly because we are not striving for attention or recognition. “It is the work that happens beneath the surface, deep in the soil of our hearts, that in time produces a great harvest of fruit and growth.” Pg 71 It can be hard, just this week as I was reminded that God sees me, He sees my situations, and He has a plan to grow me and deepen my roots.
“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13:23
When the world comes crashing down on us we need roots! Roots deeply planted in Him and in His Word because it is there that He reveals Himself more to us, it is there that He shows us who we are in Him, it is there He shows us that in this weakness that we despise His strength is made perfect. Embrace it, this weakness, it’s where we become more like Him.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Christy Hoagland 