The Esteemed

From the Desk of David Boyd, National BGMC Director

Years ago as a young college student I spent the summer helping districts with their summer camps. During one family camp season, the first speaker was a missionary evangelist. I perceived him to be particularly anointed, holy, and humble. Part of his message centered on missions and what could be done if the church body would give more and care more for the world. His whole countenance pointed to others first. He wasn’t flashy or showy, but he was powerfully anointed. The morning he left, a second evangelist arrived complete with semi-trucks and an interlude. He, too, spoke of money—the money needed to keep his show on the road. As a young would-be pastor, my heart was struck by the difference between the two. I clearly recall asking God to keep me holy, humble, and anointed.

I was reminded of the above incident as I read Isaiah 66:2: “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit.” Let that be the prayer of your life—that in all you do, God would receive the glory. That your life would always be spent putting others first, touching young lives, investing in the future, and changing the next generation.

Don’t get sidetracked with opportunities for grandeur. God indeed does raise individuals to positions of greater influence, but that influence is dependent upon the anointed, humble servant fulfilling the calling of the Lord.

Don’t get discouraged in humble circumstances. God esteems the humble. God esteems those who excel in places of seeming insignificance. Rarely are these places insignificant at all—rather they are proving grounds and learning grounds. Often they are places of preparing the soil of young lives, planting spiritual foundations deep into the bedrock of children’s lives.

Let He who is worthy of all esteem you in your well doing.