The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. (Philippians 3:3 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Be Loud
Explorer Christopher Columbus receives a lot of flack in recent years, perhaps for some good reasons. He, like us, was sinful. But Christopher did at least one thing right. He followed Philippians 3:3.
Every morning, as the sailors realized they had survived another dangerous night at sea, Columbus praised Christ. Every evening, as the sailors realized they had survived another dangerous day at sea, Columbus praised Christ. Every land, newly seen by European eyes, was announced to be the result of Christ’s protection, provision, and power. Every land, while perhaps presumptuously claimed for a European Monarch, was also properly and hopefully claimed as a place for Christ’s Kingdom to expand. Every treasure, every resource, every thing of beauty was claimed not merely for Spain, but as a part of the glorious work of the Creator God.
Columbus loudly and repeatedly filled the air with Christ’s praise as Columbus did the labor to which he believed Christ called him.
Our tasks, like Columbus’ are often daunting, unsure, and a potential cause of fear. But loudly praising Christ beforehand, during, and afterwards changes the narrative. Acknowledging that our work is really His work can remove our insecurity. Giving Christ credit for the daily small successes we might have enables us to trust Him though the daily small failures we might experience. Praising Christ loudly for what we’ve had a hand in even enables us to avoid the shoals of pride, self-focus, and self-reliance.
From our birth, to our rebirth, to our working out our salvation, it is Christ who is at work.
Fear not, then be loud.