The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(Thanks to Urbane for inspiration on this one)
"Not Unto Us"
Most born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will quietly live out their earthly sojourn known only to a relative few family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and fellow Christians (statistically, far more than 99% of us). Little fanfare will accompany our departure, just as little accompanied our journey of faith during our lifetime.
Consider Urbane, mentioned in Romans 16 as the Apostle Paul's "helper in Christ" (Romans 16:9). What do we know about him other than this mention in Scripture? Precious little. His name means "of the city" (from which we derive our common word, "urban"). We also know he served the Lord by serving Paul. This fact tells us much about Urbane in terms of being a devoted believer, as does Paul's mention of him in an epistle destined to become a part of the Biblical canon. Beyond this, however, we know nothing. In which city was Urbane born? Rome? Certainly a possibility, but we cannot be sure. What of his family? His education? His calling and career? His service to God and people? His passing? We do not have answers to any of these questions, again, regarding a man so notable to the Apostle Paul that he bore him witness for his faithful service. Indeed, while writing this, I thanked God for Urbane, something I had never considered doing before.
I also thanked the Lord for the vast multitude of Urbanes who lived and live their lives unknown to all but those blessed to be in their sphere of influence and ministry. Statistically, this includes just about every believer who ever lived. This is just as it should be. Christians must not succumb to the temptation of self importance that lures us to seek notoriety. If it comes as the natural course of things, so be it. However, ambition for reputation has no place in the heart of any believer. The notables will be far and few in God's purposes, even in the Internet generation wherein one can instantly become known, for good or ill, to billions. The Spirit of God rather works in every true believer to direct all praise and honor to the Christ who alone is worthy of it. Indeed, if one can look upon his hands and feet without seeing the prints of nails suffered while dying for the sins of others, one must renounce every devilish and fleshly notion of seeking a name, place, and reputation. "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (II Corinthians 10:17).
I look forward to meeting Urbane on some Heavenly street of gold, along with so many other faithful brothers and sisters known only to God and a few. The vast bulk of the Lord's work happens through such ones, resulting in Christ alone receiving honor and glory. This is just as they would have it, even as the Psalmist confirmed in his longing to shine light and the spotlight on the one One worthy to receive it…
"Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake!"
(Psalm 115:1)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake!"
(Psalm 115:1)
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