I have met many people with high level skills in my life: world class musicians particularly but also some extremely gifted artists, writers, and also sports people. Within them there is something impressively skillful. The way they master words, artists materials or their instrument. The way they manage to control a ball and give it seemingly impossible direction. It is easy to be impressed with the use of skills.
What impresses me more is how they deal with being impressive.
I have been asked today to consider the life of one of the early church fathers, Anthony. From a wealthy family he heard God's call to sell all he had and give the proceeds to the poor. He then went into the desert for twenty years to commune with God. Returning from isolation he was used in powerful ministry to world leaders of the day and also to the poor, sick and imprisoned. When his life ministry was over he returned to his withdrawn lifestyle.
His ministry was impressive, no doubt, and he is credited with strongly influencing a number of areas of ministry both of his time and since. Many, many lives were changed because of him and thousands followed his example of desert living.
But what impresses me about him? It was that he listened to God and responded appropriately.
Anthony never takes a bow, he never lifts his hand to the crowd to acknowledge their acclamation, he does hold a book signing or an exhibition of his work. He listens to God, follows his word and quietly withdraws when all is done.
Incidentally the people I have met who have impressed me most of all are those who diligently fulfil their ministry, quietly, unassumingly and even thinking that they are not really doing much. They are the really impressive people.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment