Getting out of the way of God’s glory

“Your ministry is the closest thing to that of Jesus that I’ve ever seen!”

“I’ve heard all of the great Bible teachers of our time. Your ministry is right up their with them!”

You are the greatest songwriter in the world!”

“Are you an angel?”

These are all things that Ive heard. Did such lavish praise do me any good? No. Did it do me harm? Yes, because I was too young and inexperienced to handle such things. The subsequent build up of pride and arrogance over time opened the door to major backsliding. I thought God really had a hot property in me, I thought I could get away with sin because of my gifts. I repented, then ministered, then went at it again. Hypocrisy. I eventually lost everything but my inner core never let loose of God. When I really repented all was restored to me after 5 years of rebellion. God was gracious the whole time and received me like the prodigal I was with much affection.

How do you handle praise? When God uses you and people express their gratitude do you take it in and agree…”Yeah, I’m really something!” Or do you chew them out with a scowl, “I’m just a vessel, give God the glory!” People don’t mean to exhalt you most of the time. They are just grateful. No need to beat them up.

I now see it like this. I delivered the package. I represented the Lord while giving the oracles. When praise come back, I pass it along. I won’t touch it. It doesn’t belong to me. God gets 100%. I was not the light, I was reflecting light.

So I just say thank you, no slap downs, no basking in the “glory of me”. What I mean when I say thank you is vital. If I say thank you on behalf of my God who is the source then all is well, I passed it along. If I mean “Ya, I’m especially special, glad you recognize it!” then I’m being a fool and a thief. God doesn’t share glory that belongs to Him. He is the only one suited and able to receive it. It will destroy whatever being that tries to take it for themselves. Look what happened to Lucifer.

It seems getting out of the way is important. When God is moving in the Spirit, get out of the way. When the people are responding in gratitude to the power and love of God, get out of the way. Let Him have the glory that so truly is His!