America is often known for being big: big land, big houses, big cars, big companies, big drinks that come with free refills…
And we learned to measure our churches by the same standard: big buildings, big programs, big organizations, big influence numerically… even big sales of books and music. Whether leaders or not, our egos have enjoyed being part of that which is bigger and/or better in the world of church-dom. Let’s be honest.
The challenge is that Jesus was just the opposite. His was a small band of disciples, whose feet he washed like a household servant, that would eventually turn the world on its head.
He demonstrated absolute humility coupled with a deep investment into that which the world would naturally see as inconsequential.
Are we ready to follow this example? Are we willing to let go of our own fascination with any type of recognition and or ‘bigness’ in order to invest in the least, or the lost, or the most forgotten, or the overlooked? Are we passionate about the one person in front of us? Are we willing to give our lives for obscurity and pour ourselves into others no matter how small or big, recognized or hidden? In short, do we have the humility to walk in partnership with Jesus and leave the results to Him? This may be the true mark of the upside-down, simple, organic, Jesus-first revolution that the ‘church’ (ekklesia) is being transformed into. May God help us, strengthen us, encourage us… and may we embrace the humility to be transformed and used His way!
