I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, “My own strength has saved me.” (Judg. 7:2)
I had invited a worship team from South Africa to come to Zimbabwe. My vision was for this group to perform in different venues around the city of Bulawayo. Since Africans love music, I thought this would be a great way to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For the first two days, the team performed at five schools and at the Entumbane community hall. When we looked at the numbers, it seemed like we were a big success. The team had performed in front of approximately 4,500 individuals. However, something was missing. No one was making spiritual decisions for Christ. The audiences danced and clapped their hands to the rhythm of the music, but they were not making spiritual decisions.
On the third day, I gathered the team together to talk about what I had been observing. They had observed the same thing. After a lengthy discussion, one team member shared, “Instead of singing for God’s glory, we have been singing for our own glory.”
One by one the team members got on their knees and asked God to forgive them. Like Israel, they didn’t want to boast in their own strength or talents. “Lord, we don’t want the spot light to be on us, but on you.” In the remaining days of their visit, many responded to the invitation to receive Christ as their Savior.
When you do God’s work, do it for his glory.
Jim “Umfundisi” Lo is a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, cross-cultural leader, intercessor, and author of several books including Unholiness: Overcoming the Forces That Attack Your Soul (WPH).
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
