Whoa. The last time I launched my thoughts in such an exposed format was Xanga. Unless, of course, you count Facebook statuses, which I do not. For this will be likely more revealing and hopefully downright humbling. Even if no one reads it.
Yeah, I know. I'm late in the game to the whole blogging thing. That fact nearly caused me to reconsider adding this little tab to my website at all. I mean, once you've read one blog or one person's thoughts, haven't you read them all? What HASN'T been done? Each one straining to offer something completely original. The right side of our brains began to be stretched even further with the birth of Pinterest as we "oohed and aahed" over clever solutions to problems and were amazed by the resourcefulness of others. It seems that now the "race to the top" is not simply about getting there first, but about having something "never been seen before." Yes, it is the Time of the Artist and Age of the Innovator. As someone who falls into those categories, I say, FINALLY.
But HOW do we possibly stand out in the Ingenious Sea where so many are exceptional visionaries? In nearly all creative fields, the adage "It's all about who you know" is certainly the driving force for propelling someone forward. And of course, social media and our increased access and availability to people all over the world makes marketing one's personal portfolio practically child's play. (Apparently failure can only come from sheer ignorance or laziness.) But even with all these outlets, I think it has less to do with OUR efforts and OUR promotion and more to do with God's OMNIPOTENCE, SOVEREIGNTY and CHOREOGRAPHY. If it had MORE to do with us, wouldn't that mean somehow we were greater than Him? If He must increase and I must decrease (John 3:30), then that should even be the motivating factor in my getting noticed. More and more of HIM should be somehow displayed. I mean, even JESUS promoted His Father first. "'Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. '" (John 5:19)
And maybe deeper still, WHY is it so important that people know me? To make getting noticed a true art form, it boils down to MOTIVE. In my current situation, it would be so easy to say I'm putting myself out there so I can get a job and pay my bills so I can have the safety and security that a good ol' independent American needs. It's a good thing that's NOT my goal. I'd be miserably failing. But if my goal is "doing everything to the glory of God" (Col. 3:17), and for HIS NAME'S SAKE, then God sees a humble heart, and we know that's just the kind of heart He can work with (Psalm 18:27). And then I don't have to worry about whether all my promotional efforts come to anything because now His interests and mine are ALIGNED (i.e. for HIS glory), and so He does the work to bring the fruit: the job that will best keep me humble so that His Name can continue to be advertised.
O Lord, please keep us ever humble that it may never be about us and ever, only all about You. For there is none like you O Lord who is worthy to be praised and honored and magnified. We praise you for all the ways you have made Yourself known in our own lives; Your power is infinitely mighty and strong. Thank you for being such a magnificent Jehovah Jireh, providing for one need after another.
What do YOU think is pivotal to getting noticed?
Yeah, I know. I'm late in the game to the whole blogging thing. That fact nearly caused me to reconsider adding this little tab to my website at all. I mean, once you've read one blog or one person's thoughts, haven't you read them all? What HASN'T been done? Each one straining to offer something completely original. The right side of our brains began to be stretched even further with the birth of Pinterest as we "oohed and aahed" over clever solutions to problems and were amazed by the resourcefulness of others. It seems that now the "race to the top" is not simply about getting there first, but about having something "never been seen before." Yes, it is the Time of the Artist and Age of the Innovator. As someone who falls into those categories, I say, FINALLY.
But HOW do we possibly stand out in the Ingenious Sea where so many are exceptional visionaries? In nearly all creative fields, the adage "It's all about who you know" is certainly the driving force for propelling someone forward. And of course, social media and our increased access and availability to people all over the world makes marketing one's personal portfolio practically child's play. (Apparently failure can only come from sheer ignorance or laziness.) But even with all these outlets, I think it has less to do with OUR efforts and OUR promotion and more to do with God's OMNIPOTENCE, SOVEREIGNTY and CHOREOGRAPHY. If it had MORE to do with us, wouldn't that mean somehow we were greater than Him? If He must increase and I must decrease (John 3:30), then that should even be the motivating factor in my getting noticed. More and more of HIM should be somehow displayed. I mean, even JESUS promoted His Father first. "'Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. '" (John 5:19)
And maybe deeper still, WHY is it so important that people know me? To make getting noticed a true art form, it boils down to MOTIVE. In my current situation, it would be so easy to say I'm putting myself out there so I can get a job and pay my bills so I can have the safety and security that a good ol' independent American needs. It's a good thing that's NOT my goal. I'd be miserably failing. But if my goal is "doing everything to the glory of God" (Col. 3:17), and for HIS NAME'S SAKE, then God sees a humble heart, and we know that's just the kind of heart He can work with (Psalm 18:27). And then I don't have to worry about whether all my promotional efforts come to anything because now His interests and mine are ALIGNED (i.e. for HIS glory), and so He does the work to bring the fruit: the job that will best keep me humble so that His Name can continue to be advertised.
O Lord, please keep us ever humble that it may never be about us and ever, only all about You. For there is none like you O Lord who is worthy to be praised and honored and magnified. We praise you for all the ways you have made Yourself known in our own lives; Your power is infinitely mighty and strong. Thank you for being such a magnificent Jehovah Jireh, providing for one need after another.
What do YOU think is pivotal to getting noticed?
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