Influence & Favor

In my late teens and early twenties, I loved listening to men like Tony Campolo who helped me believe that I was called to preach in front of thousands. The message was all about not wasting time, that this life was not a dress rehearsal and that I should wait for no man’s approval to just do what I think I am called to do. ‘You Can Make a Difference’ cried one of his sermons and books. I have always wanted to make a difference.

I know a lot of people around my age heard the same message and have been left with little but disappointment. We never got to preach in stadiums, never got to sing with Amy Grant, or lead worship with Graham Kendrick. Our books sold to friends and family but never made to the shelves of Waterstones or Barnes & Noble. Nor were we happy as husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers; always thinking of that great big thing we were called to do instead of ‘just this’. So what went wrong?

I think the story of Jesus in Luke 2 is where we missed a lot of what is needed. Jesus could have launched His ministry right there and then, after all, He was in His Father’s house astounding people. You can almost feel the anointing that is on Him. But there was more, there was something way bigger. Yes, the omniscient God needed to grow in wisdom. He needed to grow in favor with men and with God before He could fully do what He was supposed to do. That required laying aside what He felt was His ministry and following His mother and father.

The juvenile in us, the one who thinks being older (growing in stature is how Dr. Luke explains it) is in some way diminishing, needs to die. Only juveniles think it all has to happen right away, that there should be no delay. The problem is, it will end in disappointment and confusion and a deep dissatisfaction of the stage of life you are in. There is a better way. Not an easier way, but a better way. Don’t settle for being a flash in the pan with minimal impact. Be big, grow in wisdom, and favor. Be a son or daughter, it’s what the world is groaning for.

Ian