Fight the Fame, Choose to LoseCarla Harding - 19 Apr 2010
“Is it true today, that when people pray, cloudless skies will break, Kings and Queens will shake?” Delirious, History Makers
“With great power comes great responsibility.” Uncle Ben, Spiderman
When I was young I wanted to grow up to be significant. How that could happen I never seemed to decide. One month I wanted to be a helicopter pilot, the next an actress. I remember a fleeting ambition to be a spy and I think I even considered politics. Somewhere along the journey of my childhood I got the idea in my head that my worth was measured by how many people knew me, and the power I had to change the world.
Unsurprisingly I was and remain a huge fan of super heroes. Superman and Spiderman were my particular favourites, I would replay the cartoons and later the films in my mind. I imagined how I would respond to the perils they faced and what I would do if I could master unassisted flight or shoot web from my wrists. My daydreams puffed up my ego with ideas of altruistic choices and the discovery of incredible powers…
You probably think I’m weird. I probably am… but there seems to be something in the psyche of western culture that propagates such a desire for individual significance. The fame game has many salivating for a bite at the apple. ‘Reality’ TV has never been so popular; regular Joe’s and Joanna’s expose their lives and loves to the watching public in hope of money, fame and a career if they’re lucky. To be anyone you must be known to be someone…
It seems strange to therefore that the greatest someone I know often chose obscurity when He could have had the adoration of the masses as He walked the earth…
“They choose to lose that they may win the great well done of faithful sons and daughters.” The Vision
My recent study of the gospel of John has brought home to me some of the opportunities for fame, power and influence that Jesus of Nazareth turned down. Putting aside the fact that the creator of the universe humbled himself to enter the world as a helpless newborn in a mortal body, there are so many ways in which the Son of God did not claim the significance that was rightfully His. Jesus’ adult life was plagued not just by those who wanted to harm Him, but also by many who wanted to crown Him.
Israel hungered to throw off their oppressors and re-establish themselves as a free nation. In short, they needed a hero. A King from the line of David who would rally them to fight and to reclaim what was rightfully theirs. As rumour spread of a Rabi respected by John the Baptist, capable of healing ailments and claiming to forgive sin, many wondered, “Is this our moment? Has the promised Messiah arrived?”
How many would turn down the crown they offered? When the Son of God was tempted how deeply did He consider His options? Whatever the magnitude of Jesus’ internal struggle His actions tell of the path He chose…
Jesus frequently asked those He healed not to tell of what He’d done. At times He departed when crowds grew large and did not take the credit for all He did. He peppered His days with prayer… giving His Father all praise and seeking His purpose and direction in all.
"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19
Jesus’ ultimate campaign against the darkness of this world centered not on a grand charge, a great display of power or a last minute save… The decisive blow was struck on a criminal’s cross. Submitting to an insignificant death to open the door to the most important moment in history… An opportunity for all to find their significance in relationship with God. We too can now live in step with the Father, practicing obscurity, giving Him the credit and living out prayer-fuelled lives that can impact the world.
It’s a little over twenty years since my childhood self began to learn what a real hero looks like. Now I know I am significant for a more profound reason than I ever expected. I still want to change the world but now I know that I have been given the power to make it happen…
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
This is why I will be joining with millions of my brothers and sisters around the world on Pentecost Sunday to take full advantage of the privilege Jesus has given us. On May 23rd 2010 will you join us in prayer to see our nations transformed? On one day, in potentially every country, the Church of God will pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” After that we play our part we can stand back and give the Father the credit.
Find out more about the Global Day of Prayer and how you can get involved.
Carla leads on the work and growth of 24-7 Prayer across Great Britain and she is part of the Lectio 365 team, helping people pray the Bible every day. Her life was hijacked by God in 1999 during a two hour stint in the first ever 24-7 Prayer Room. Carla loves prayer and worship, friends and food, a well told story and a challenge to get her teeth into. In her spare time, Carla is an active member of Revelation Family Church, a 24-7 Prayer Community. She lives in Chichester, UK with her husband Steve and their children Jackson and Eloise.
Meet Carla