Ep. 167 — A God Who Wants to Be Sought + ”No ’Who’s Who’ In The Kingdom”
No ‘Who’s Who In the Kingdom.
There are no “who’s who” in the Kingdom of God.
This little line has been popping into my head the last week or so. (Especially when I look at social media.)
ur humanity so naturally categorized and assesses people…. lining them up from most important to least important…and, of course, figuring out where we fit in the lineup.
Social media gives us metrics to assist with the tendency…how many followers…how many likes…it’s easy judge a person’s place in the lineup. But real life does this too…what’s their title…what’s their visibility compared to mine…we look at the sign on their door or the microphone in their hand and assume “they’re more important than me.”
While we DO honor those who God has placed in positions of authority, they truly are not intended to be “celebrities” in the Kingdom of God.
If there were “Kingdom glasses” we could put on, we would understand that the Kingdom is upside down and inside out. Jesus taught that greatness in His Kingdom was servanthood.
In Matthew 23, Jesus is speaking to the crowd and his disciples and is addressing the way the Pharisees operate. Jesus is unimpressed with their religious hierarchy. He’s unimpressed with the way they impress.
“They love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called “Rabbi.” Don’t let anyone call you “Rabbi”, for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.” (Matthew 23:6-8) NLT
In verse 11, He continues on, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (23:11 KJV)
“Those who exalt themselves will be humbled.” (NLT)
Kingdom glasses would show that “janitor” or “facilities maintenance” is a more worthy and higher paid position than “board member.” Kingdom glasses would reveal that “prayer warrior” is more powerful than “president.” Kingdom glasses would show that often “less is more” … the widow’s 2 mites were more and meant more to Jesus than the totality of all the other contributions placed in the offering basket that day. Kingdom glasses would remind us that God chooses weak and frail vessels to work through so that He receives the glory.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And the base things of the world, and the things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, the things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence…He that glorieth, let him glory in the LORD.” (I Corinthians 1:26-31)
He is most interested in partnering with those who know and constantly recognize they are nothing and He is EVERYTHING. They are simply a feeble channel for Him to flow through.
There are no “who’s who” in the Kingdom of God, because HE is the “Who’s Who.” He is supreme; over all! “…far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world, but also in the world to come…” (Ephesians 1:21)
He is over all. He is pre-eminent…full of glory, and, as the old song says, “The half has never yet been told.” Our human comprehension cannot even begin to grasp the grandeur and power in Him. He is premier…and He doesn’t share His glory…”that no flesh should glory in His presence.” He that glories let him glory in the LORD.” (I Corinthians 1:30-33)
He’s the Who’s Who, and He’s the only Who’s Who.
For us to make anyone a “celebrity”, or to make ourselves a “celebrity”, is for one microscopic speck of dust to make another microscopic speck of dust more or less important than the other. Hence, the reason Paul taught us that comparison is not wise!
Yet, while we are small and have to always avoid the “comparison trap,” we are also so loved!
While there are no “Who’s Who’s,” there are also no “nobodies!” Every single life and every single person is created with innate value — so much more than a microscopic speck of dust! Each life is imprinted with destiny and value and the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) And the God Who created each life is responsible for positioning each life. “He puts down one and exalts another.” (Psalms 75:7)
“He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy (GOT THAT COVERED) from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lords’ and He has set the world in order!” (I Samuel 2:8-NLT)
He is in control — we must reject both titles — “who’s who” AND “nobody.” Both are born of pride, and both place emphasis on self. Our primary “job” is to stay humble wherever He has placed us — whether behind a microphone declaring the truth of His Word, or behind a desk filing papers so others can be behind a microphone, or behind a mop, or “behind the scenes,” in any millions of ways we must “humble ourselves under His mighty hand.” He has placed us there, and it’s not our job to assess the lineup…it’s our job to serve and pour and give and love and seek Him in THAT place. And the only way we can do that is to keep our eyes on Him — the ONLY Who’s Who in all of this upside-down Kingdom where “the first shall be last” and “the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:30/20:16/Mark 10;31/Luke 13:30) This is, after all, a Kingdom whose King said, “whoever wants to be the first among you just be the slave of everyone else. For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:44-45) This is a Kingdom where the King led the way.
Let me ever bear in mind that my King, when asked, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” called a little child to Him and put the child among them… “and said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.’” (Matthew 18:1-4)
Children are naturally innocent and trusting; unassuming…and humble.
Not a who’s who…not a nobody!
Ever in awe of the King Who reigns supreme and allows me to serve in His Kingdom in any way, yet always confident of my position and identity in Him.
Please help me become as a little child…serving where I’m placed IN the Kingdom of the only Who’s Who!
Thank you for joining me for this journey!
Go grab your Bible and your journal!
I look forward to the power of this habit in your life. This is Unedited.