In a local church service, the choir ministered so well that everyone danced and honoured God with their praises. When the presiding Bishop came up after the choir, he made a remark that got everyone thinking; “Choir, you sang very well. If not that I’m a Bishop, I would have stood up to dance.” This Bishop was more conscious of his reputation than the presence and power of God.
Friend, are you more conscious of your reputation than the presence and power of God (Philippians 3:7)? Always remember that you cannot keep your reputation and the power of God at the same time. For some, it is their reputation that is keeping them away from the power of God. They love what people would say about them than what God is saying (John 5:44).
Whereas reputation is who you are before men, your real character is who you are before God (Revelation 3:1). Don’t let your reputation swallow your character. Rather, let your character sustain your reputation. It is wise to focus on your character and who you are before God and let your reputation take care of itself (2 Corinthians 10:18).
Just like Naaman, a lot of people are struggling with things that the presence and power of God in a man or a place would have cheaply delivered them from (2 Kings 5:1-14). Yet, they love to keep their reputation at the expense of their healing and deliverance. They would rather package leprosy and hidden problems than humbly go to where the solution is available.
Any height that would not make you bow before the Most High God is already a setup for a downfall (Proverbs 16:18). The higher God lifts you, the humbler you must become. In this kingdom, we sustain great heights by humility and reverence to the One who is the glory and the lifter of our head (Psalm 3:2-3). When God sees that promotion would make you lose your head, He would keep you small for your own good.
What are you doing that is making God keep you small (1 Samuel 15:17)? Like David, when God sees that your glory would praise Him, He would increase that glory. When He sees that you would use the platform He gives you to honour and project Him, He would give you more platforms (2 Samuel 6:21-23, Psalm 30:12). If you cannot join mortal men to worship the immortal God, you are invariably making yourself God. You won’t survive it. Repent.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria