for such a place as this

"Would Amos have thundered so boldly if he had been a northern guild-prophet rather than a southern sheep farmer? Would John the Baptist have spoken so bluntly if he had been a courtier in Herod's palace? Could Martin Luther have seen the church's captivity as clearly if he had been a cardinal in Rome? Would Winston Churchill have spoken as freely as a member of the Cabinet as he did as a backbencher from Chartwell? Possibly; we are free to speculate. In the reality of history, however, there is a clear link between each messenger's perspective and each messenger's pain. Both are the result of being outsiders, and for any Christians who would speak out today in a time of the church's deepening cultural captivity, prophetic untimeliness carries a clear cost." *


Pondering these questions and possibile historical situations can guide us to very interesting thoughts regarding our place in this world. Certainly our society attributes greatness with sphere of influence as well as power and authority. The church has also seen its share of power-hungry and status-seeking persons as well as the late evangelical quest for the biggest and best spokesmodels for the Christian faith (sports figures, rock stars, politicians, movie makers, etc. . .). I think back to a challenged posed to such wishes by Tozer: Does God desire such worldly greatness and influence - certainly he is in no need of great humans in order to accomplish his work.

Examining our own theology might reveal our loose grasp of Jesus' teaching on the last being first and the least being greatest. For while so many of us enjoy quoting such niceties we are quick to push over each other for a greater status while passing through this earthly realm. Or we pass by those who are weak so that we may rally behind persons of higher rank, status, and publicity. Yet we must reflect on such named characters of godly influence mentioned above and wonder. . .

Perhaps it is important to remember that we might strive for weakness and be diligent to have others placed before us. I wonder if any of us might be accused of trying to out-do our founder. . .a man of no reputation.




*Os Guinness, Prophetic Untimeliness (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003), 86.