January 24

Written by Bill Grandi on January 24th, 2019

We are prone to idolatry. We are prone to pedestals. We are prone to elevating people. We see it often:

  • A young boy or girl idolizes an athlete or a singer/musician/group.
  • A teenager goes gaga over a celebrity. We crave meeting them. I spoke with an adult recently who related how there was a group of pastors/youth pastors in an elevator with a well-known Bible teacher but said nothing until he left. Then they all buzzed at once.
  • An adult will idolize a job; a coworker to the point of sin; their child(ren).
  • A church will put their pastor on a pedestal as though he is “Mr. Has-it-all-together” or “Mr Know-it-all” or “Mr. He-can-do-no-wrong.”

Then the celebrity, the sports star, the job, the child, the pastor crashes and burns. Faith and trust is destroyed. Daily life is altered. Perspective is skewed. Until…another one comes along and here we go again. 🙁

I don’t want a special chair. I don’t want to be put in a special class. I don’t want a pedestal. I don’t belong there. I don’t deserve to be there. I’m as human as the next person. The same depravity in the heart of every person is in mine. Jesus once said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Yikes! Theft, murder, deceit, adultery, addictions, competitiveness, looking to get ahead, pride…you name it. That and more struggle to win in me and until I/we win over them, I want no pedestal.  That is reserved for One Person and One Person only-the only One who overcame all the deceptions of the heart: Jesus. The song which comes to mind is a hymn: “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it/Prone to leave the God I love.” I have no desire to leave the God I love, but I sure do have a wandering spirit. NO. PEDESTAL. FOR. ME!! ONLY HIM!!!!

“Father, I don’t want nor deserve a pedestal, a lofty position. Only You. Help me not to crave the attention. The pedestal. The applause. The accolades. May it all go to You.”

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S says:

    Your post is spot on today… Noone on this Earth today is worthy of my worship… Self included.

  2. Pam says:

    Bill, you and Dick think so much alike. He has never like preaching from a pulpit and never sits in the “God chairs” on either side of the altar. Like you, he feels that pastors are as human as the next guy. Dick also constantly reminds our congregation that he isn’t the only one called to minister both in and out of the church.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I don’t like a traditional pulpit either Pam. I do have an acrylic one that lends itself to a more relaxed atmosphere. There are time, like two weeks ago, when I will put up a chair and “chat” with the people. Depends on the sermon and the point. But I certainly agree with Dick about ministry.

  3. I couldn’t agree more, Bill – only One deserves the pedestal, and that is the Lord.
    Blessings!

  4. floyd samons says:

    Agreed. Glory is solely intended for God!

    I’m reminded of the words of Christ where he told us to never try to take the seat of honor, but to take the least of the seats…