Legit

Something powerful happened the first day I began teaching. When I started talking, they sat down and listened. When I passed a piece of paper to them, they inspected it carefully and kept it for future reference. Most people would think this is not a big deal, but it was very different for me. The further one gets in one’s professional career, these experiences tend to occur more often. All of a sudden your words matter. Your thoughts are coherent and meaningful at least to someone. You start to feel legitimate. It can be intoxicating.

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two of his followers to heal people and drive out demons throughout the region. Evidently they were very successful, because they come back to Jesus joyfully reporting “even the demons submit to us in your name.” It seems that Jesus shared in their joy, happy that they were doing so well. Yet he also reminded them, “do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

I think this reminder is absolutely essential to every Christ follower, especially in times of success. We need to know that knowing God is our greatest opportunity for success. Such a thought may allow us to remain humble as well as endure the struggles of life.