By Pastor Andrew Farland
Look To Serve Not For Fame
I have a confession.
For me, in the past few years of doing ministry and following God, I’ve sought recognition.
I wanted people to say, “Hey, Good job Andrew! You done such an amazing job, and you’re really changing the world.”
But the more I spend time with God and grow, the more I realize it’s not about notoriety and recognition. It’s not even about the pats on the back.
It’s about serving with a peaceful heart.
Let me tell you about Shanti. He’s a guy from India, a member of the lowest caste in his country. He’s also one of the best tabla players, EVER. He’s so talented at playing this Indian drum that Bollywood tried to hire him to play music for all of their films.
Now think about this. This opportunity would allow Shanti to experience a new life full of wealth and recognition. Bollywood would fly him to Dubai and London; he would become a worldwide sensation. He’d also make tens of thousands of dollars a month.
Shanti felt uneasy about the offer, wondering what good, honestly, would this work do?
You see, Shanti had recently given his life to Christ. The Bollywood offer made him feel uneasy. He said, “I’m sorry, but I will only use my talent for playing the drums to worship God. It doesn’t make sense to go to Bollywood, make tons of money, but waste my life.”
Shanti realized losing his soul wasn’t worth fame and fortune.
There’s no place he’d rather be than with the poorest of the poor in India. There’s nothing he’d rather be doing than using his gift to glorify God.
You might not know that Shanti started Peace Music Ministries. He has created something beautiful with his talents for leadership and music. He holds monthly meetings. Sometimes he raises enough money to do the events and sometimes he doesn’t. It doesn’t matter. God always provides for Shanti.
Shanti’s job isn’t to be famous or even rich. It’s to serve.
Shanti is my role model and inspiration. I want to be more like Shanti every day, but the world is loud and noisy, clamoring for my attention. It wants your attention, too.
God promotes the servant’s heart, but the world promotes pride. God lifts up the humble in spirit; the world does the opposite. The world validates the rich, but God blesses the poor in spirit.
Serve God and do things the right way.
Turn away from the world.
Turn to God.
Don’t look for fame, money, and recognition. These are the things with which the world wants to congratulate you. They will not last.
Seek the things of God first, and He will make sure you have everything you need.
You will not be alone if you turn to this new path. Others, like Shanti, have turned away from the ways of the world. You will find him and others like him, on your journey to God and peace.
Maybe you’ve noticed that the new money, the new success, is peace.
One of the hottest trends on Instagram is having a quiet, joyful, and happy heart. People realize that wealth and recognition do not create peace. Peace comes from being willing to serve others.
In Mark 9:35,
Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” How can you put yourself second to serve someone else and put God’s kingdom first?
What road are you on?
Are you on God’s path or the wide path everybody is going down?
I hope to see you on God’s path. It’s narrow and less traveled, but there’s room for us all.
Mark 8:35
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
Be encouraged today because God is with you.
