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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FAMOUS (02/27/20)
THE COST OF MAKING HIM KNOWN
It has been a metamorphic process or one like creating a precious pearl. Initially, it was my selfish ambitions sugar-coated with being in ministry full-time. I wanted to be used by God and rewarded with fame. It took me about a decade to die to self. That I decrease and Him increase. I surrendered and continually lay down my life for His Will and Kingdom to come. Not only out there to people I minister and reach out to with the good news of Christ, but daily as a follower of Christ, wife, mother, friend, sibling, daughter and every role or responsibility I occupy.
The purpose for my living, is to point everyone to Him. In our brokenness, sin, struggles, highs and lows, I want to make Jesus famous. In my conduct and speech, His fame should be a norm. There have been three aspects in my life where I had to purposefully let go in order to make God known:
Personal Dreams - when I received Christ as my Lord and Savior, it was unbeknown to me the me I was to let go and die. And for many years, I was willing to let go of sin. Good riddance, right?! I thought that was enough and all I needed to surrender. No. It was just the beginning. When I was faced with surrending and dying to self in terms of asking Holy Spirit to search me and know me, and exposing any offensive way in me, yet that offensive way was not your typical sin but someone I grew up to be; dreams, motives, preferrances, desires... And all these at first glance seemed good. Until the Lord will peel off the beautiful covering to expose the selfish intentions and brokenness that were at the root and center of it all. When the process of dying to self began, it became uncomfortable because I thought I wasn't being the "real" me, I didn't think I will "keep up" with the ever changing person, especially required of the scriptures. It was a difficult process, then than now. Now I have a glimpse of what person I am to become, a Christ like one, and I am drawn towards that personhood that it is not as grilling to self but actually a hunger and thirst to be more like Jesus, because now my motive and purpose is to make Him known, not self. And to make Him known, I have to be like Him.
People Approval- I never realized how broken I was until the Holy Spirit started exposing the pride, insecurities, and the longing to be accepted and approved by my fellow man. One of the greatest challenges I had to overcome is the fear of man. The fear of man and aching for their approval would hinder me from being obedient to God's voice and word, therefore living in disobedience and rebellion. When the Lord broke that bondage, I was left with a feeling of loneliness. Because between my own personal dreams and people's concerns, it would make the decision to obey God harder. Trading man's approval over making God known the way He's calling me to. Thank God for His convicting power and grace, I would choose His way above man's.
Sacrifices and Suffering - this last one is an overall cost I'm willing to pay until Christ comes or until He calls me home. The comfort, luxuries, and "normal life" are choices I have to make everyday to make Christ famous. I am faced time and again with questions like, "Am I willing to live like this for the sake of His Kingdom? Am I willing to forgo my reputation for Him being known? Am I willing to be nothing for Him to be everything? To be unknown or unseen for Him to be known and seen?" Again, it is quite a process and journey. I fall and rise. His mercy and grace carry me through it all.
But what remains is, at what cost are you and I willing to make Christ known? In what ways, extravagant or subtle can you make Jesus famous in your world?
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Faith Noles 
03/05/20
Double-space between paragraphs. Sentence should read “In my brokenness” instead of “In our brokenness”. Are you speaking as a group or as an individual?
You had some extra words after “Personal Dreams” (me the me I). Also using the word “I” immediately after the word “me” sounds awkward.
Spelling errors: ‘surrending’, ‘preferrances’; ‘everyday’ should be ‘every day’.
“didn't think I will” should be “didn’t think I would”
“And all these at first glance seemed good. Until the Lord will peel off” should be “Until the Lord began to peel off”

I definitely liked your story because every Christian has to pray the prayer in Psalm 139:23-24, KJV ---the prayer asking God to search you. However, your article was difficult to read. I would strongly encourage you to use the spelling and grammar checks in the software you use. And let a friend (especially one who loves to read) look over your writing first.
I think you’re doing great. God bless!
Barbara Culler 
03/07/20
I too, want more Jesus, less me!

Your entry would have been so much easier for my senior eyes to read had you put a couple of spaces between the paragraphs.

Keep up the good work!