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By Matthew Payne
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According to the world's system, our visibility or value to others is determined by who we know or what others can do for us - it's all about networking and connections. Not so in the economy of God. In the Kingdom it's about knowing Christ, adoring Him, and being content to rest at His beautiful feet while building God an intimate House of Devotion, to the exclusion of all else. Do you feel invisible to others? If so, take heart, because God knows your name. When you're invisible to others and no one knows your name, choose to be content to worship before an audience of One, because it's in that place that God will equip you for your destiny and whatever ministry He has for you. Scripture says our ways are not God's. In fact, He often does things in ways that seem illogical to our human understanding. Case in point: it's not about rubbing shoulders with those who can open doors for us; nor is it about hoping and praying someone will notice our special talents. Sadly, we often see people trying to climb the ladder in the flesh, even within the church. And while some may be discovered by those who help them up and out, it's not that way for you. Any kingdom built by man will fall, while only those built and established by God will stand. Any kingdom built by man will suffer loss, the chaff burned because it wasn't God at all.
Psalm 127:1 says this: "Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labor in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain."
According to the Kingdom of God
Build your ministry according to the Kingdom of God, not according to the dictates of the world. Time spent alone in His presence is never wasted but wisely invested. You see, it is in the waiting that He prepares us to fulfill our destiny. The Lord will purify our motives when we are alone in His presence unnoticed by man until we no longer care who knows our names or how popular we become. We are too busy worshiping the FAMOUS ONE - JESUS. If we are passionate about Him and submit to His leading He transforms us, helping us die to our old desires and motivations, so we can live and move and have our being in Him alone. In fact, He says that until we die to our old nature and even our gifts, and submit to Him, we get in His way, hindering Him from moving as He desires. So how do we do that? We ask Him to open our eyes to see where we've been deceived and are content, stuck in preconceived notions that are not of Him - where we hold on to opinions that must go if we are to become that bride in white garments. Until we let go of all the things that our "old man" brought into the relationship, we drag garments of flesh with us, coloring everything we do and say.
It is not about getting a million Facebook likes or a big name promoting our ministry name. It's about being transformed in the secret place, so that we see through heaven's eyes instead of the eyes of the flesh. It is about asking Him for His point of view and moving in harmony with His Spirit.
Early on in ministry I sent out letters to hundreds of churches hoping someone would invite me to speak. Few responded. As you can imagine, I felt confused, trying to discern what it meant to be a wise steward of my gifts and callings, and whether or not I was to promote my ministry. In nearly twenty-three years since that time I've learned that the best approach is to hide in the secret place and become desperate for God, because then He will move us and bring us into our destiny. I have found if we focus on His face people will then seek us out because we carry something special. If you carry the goods people will pursue you! When all is said and done, the world's approach leads to feelings of hopelessness and desperation that motivate us to operate in the flesh, while God builds a kingdom inside of us that reflects His character, where He alone makes the connections that will produce real, life-changing fruit in us and everyone we meet. He can place you at the right place...at the right time...that will surpass anything you do in your own ability.
The Bridegroom Knows Your Name
At the end of this process He will get the glory for our rise to fulfill our God-given destiny, and man will get no credit for placing us into our promise. In human terms, it's not who we know - it's knowing Christ and being content to love Him and follow His lead wherever it takes us. If He keeps you hidden away for a lifetime, all is not lost. Having your name known in heaven is worth more than millions singing your praises on Earth.
As you sit back and watch others in the body of Christ climbing the ladder, leaving you behind, choose to rest in His good plan, refusing to be desperate or antsy. He has you right where He wants you. Stop looking to people to promote you, and be like King David, who sang and worshiped with all his heart before an audience of One.
Hold on to the incredible truth that you are hidden away in the garden of the Lord. Your heavenly Bridegroom knows your name, and His sweet presence embraces you with such tenderness and love that man's ways pale in comparison. Even if your name is never shouted from the rooftops on Earth, you can rest as you hear your Bridegroom tenderly whisper your name in the secret place. His whisper touches your heart, reminding you that, like a pearl of great price, He is all you need. He is altogether lovely. He alone satisfies your soul and fills it with His good treasures, enabling you to live out His desires and to ultimately fulfill His incredible plan for your life.
"If you build God a house of devotion, He will build you a house of ministry." - Walter Beuttler
Steve Porter
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