J.A. Matteson
Self promotion is antithetical to kingdom life, even if position is sought purportedly for the right reasons, such as the advancement of the gospel. "You do not know what you are asking" (Matt. 20:22). If we think our influence for Christ may be increased by attaining such and such a position we are blind, deluded, we have yet to understand our calling in Christ. Until we are quite content to serve Jesus in obscurity we have yet to comprehend the kingdom of God. At the wedding feast of the Lamb will be countless saints unknown to the annals of written history, to whom the Lord Jesus will exalt; the least will be greatest and the last will be first. We strive and pray in our service and in response to our petition Jesus replies, "You do not know what you are asking." The leaders God raises up are reluctant leaders, dreadfully hesitant, those who recognize their weaknesses and failures, saints who beseech the Lord to please, please, choose another, and yet obey when the command comes, "Who am I, that I should go...?" (Ex. 3:11). The mantle of leadership is awfully burdensome, wise men seek it not. Solomon was God's chosen leader for Israel and terrified of the responsibility as king. In humility he asked for wisdom, not honor before men, to lead God's people, and his request was pleasing to the Lord (2 Chr. 1:11). Beseech, therefore, wisdom and grace to serve the Lord in obscurity with gratefulness. Be thankful that the heavy weight of leadership has not been placed upon you. Yet know that if the Lord should choose you to bare the burden of leading His people that His grace is sufficient to perform that to which He calls you. If you find in your heart ambitious thoughts of pursuing position, listen carefully to the Spirit of Christ, "You do not know what you are asking." God's leaders are called, not self-made.
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