Recently heard a local radio talk show host make the comment ‘maybe he should spend his time going after more Jesus than trying to get on the air. Pursue Jesus, not us.' And I'm paraphrasing. Seems this guy calls in repeatedly and uses different voices and names trying to get on the air.
This topic of pursuing Jesus is one that is heavy on my heart as I prepare to head off to She Speaks Writers & Speakers Conference next week. I LOVE She Speaks – I love the Proverbs 31 girls who put together one AMAZING event. I love the heart of the presenters, the editors and the agents. Above all of that I LOVE how the Lord brings together an AMAZING group of His girls for a couple of days — and it becomes so much MORE than just a conference. It's about Him and how He directs our lives. Friendships are made — and not just ANY friendships, God given girlfriendships (and YES, I just made that word up!) I just LOVE the whole SHE-BANG!
I walk into She Speaks this year with a book contract and some exciting speaking news and that's what I have to be careful about.
Not that I'm not thrilled to death over the whole book deal and speaking booking– oh, I am. I also give all of credit to Jesus, because there's no way this mess of a girl could EVER pull one bit of this off.
Sure I need to know how to market my book. I need to figure out how to increase my blog readers, my twitter followers and all that snazzy social media jazz. I should probably look for more opportunities to speak. Honestly I could spend HOURS every day researching this subject and reading the latest information.
And this is where I have to be careful — DISTRACTION. Something to take my eyes off Jesus. I want my book to be successful, I want to book more speaking events, I want you all to like me. When I start pursuing perfection, attention, fitting in, then I STOP pursuing Jesus — and that's where it gets dangerous.
When I STOP pursuing Jesus, I START pursuing the approval of man (and woman) — I start to ask myself what matters. If I want the applause of man, then why am I striving to be in Christ? I can't have both. It's Christ or popular opinion. I'm reminded of Paul in Galatians —
Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:10-12 (The Message)
I know that God has called me into His service — He calls ALL of His children into His service. But I can't fulfill that calling if I'm DISTRACTED by life, fame, attention, glory, winning, popularity… you name it!
I want to pursue Christ and Christ alone. I want to pursue Jesus, I want to CHASE Him with a single-minded passion. That's my prayer.
What about you? What's your prayer today?
My prayer is that when distraction tries to turn my head to go looking that I will hear our glorious Father in the garden asking again “Where are you?” remembering that he never leaves nor forsakes us. His spiritual gifts are the quiet ones – so when I hear that buzzzzzzz of business – I need to stop and know that He is always ALWAYS faithful and present in the moment….And NOT in all those busy plans.
Have a wonderfully blessed time, Mary!!
Thank you for sharing, Mary. I must say I struggle very often with the balance between self-promotion and getting the Word out to those the Lord sends me to. Very often I’m so afraid that I’ll get distracted and caught up in me, and that’s the last thing I ever want to happen. I was very excited and encouraged to read of your exciting accomplishments. Although I hope to one day have those things to add to my list, it is my most humble prayer that when people (however many God has assigned to me) see me, they will see Him. I’m sure that’s your prayer as well. I pray you will remain focused on Him as you walk out His will for you and that He will always be glorified by your obedience.
Beautiful. Thank you so much for this reminder to keep eyes on the prize. Jesus is truly the unifying element that brings us all together. Be blessed this weekend. Love ya already!
Mary,
God has been doing a similar thing in my heart. As I looked at Luke 9:46, I heard him whisper, “Are you willing to submit your will to my measure of greatness?” Sobering.
I look forward to meeting you next week!
Luv it, luv it, luv it, Mary. Thank you for expressing it so eloquently. Truly, we need to “set our faces like flint” (Is 50:7) on Him in order to avoid the many pitfalls attempting to weave their way into our hearts, as well as our circumstances. See you at SS!