Name in Lights

Mattathias, Amos, Nahum, (not the prophets), Esli, Naggai, Maath, Semein, Josech, Joda! I’m sure they were all very important people, but we know next to nothing about them. They lived, loved, and served, but their lasting impact is limited to only one thing. Their names appear in history in only one place…and it is not to record their exploits, accomplishments, or impact on life. They are remembered for only one thing…their descendent! These names appear in Luke 3 as some of the human ancestors of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Many scholars think that this is Mary’s geneology…but that is beside the point. They are only important because they kept it going.

As a young pastor, I secretly wanted to see “my name in lights”. I wanted to be the next great preacher, to preach great sermons that would impact people and make them want to listen and bring their friends. I said secretly, because, frankly, that desire felt a little egotistical. It seemed counter-intuitive to a servant leader to want to be recognized. And, while it could have been all those things, now I sense it was that I wanted to accomplish something significant. I wanted to make an impact on people, to change their lives, to see them learn new ways to live in harmony with God and how He designed life to work. I suppose that my desire to write is similar…I want to leave something behind that will encourage people to move closer to God. Gradually I realized that preaching was probably the least effective way to impact people for the long term. More lasting impact happens when I spend time with people. And, over the years, I’ve become more willing to stay in the shadows, behind the scenes, influencing individuals rather than the crowds.

I guess that’s why this long list of names stood out to me while I was jogging this morning. Some people are important enough to be mentioned, even if you know nothing about them. For some people, it isn’t you that will do something significant, but your descendent. All these people are only known because they are in the lineage of Jesus…all had lives, all did something, but their sole memorable accomplishment was a descendent. They kept it going. You see, our significance may not be in what we build or what we write, but more in who follows us, or, even, in who follows the one who follows us.

It may not be you, but it may be your disciple!

Keep it going!