My greatest obstacle in ministry is myself.  At times, I’ve let ego get in the way of trusting God, so I’m done.  It’s easy to get a big head when you’re a leader.  It’s easy to listen closely to your fans and try to tune out your critics.   Insanely, it’s also easy to pay too much attention to the critics and let them shape your ego.  The times I’ve done that, I let my self esteem fall far too low.   It’s in those times that I let my self pity get in the way of trusting God.  Everything I’ve described here is the result of trying to please others and myself and that’s just dysfunctional, so I’m done.  I’m done with that kind of life.

The phrase, “I live to please an audience of One” is a great way to describe the life in Christ…at least the way it should be.  The key to fullness in the Christian life and in ministry is tunnel vision.  We must focus continually on one person and one person only:  Jesus.

When my life is over people won’t remember my sermons, they won’t remember my published work, they won’t remember my blog posts.  What they’ll remember is the Jesus-mark I left behind.  By living to please people and myself I’ll leave a black eye on Jesus’ and His church.  By living to please only Jesus, I’ll bring glory to him and be a person who leaves a beautiful legacy behind.

I want to leave a mark that builds the reputation of Jesus, so I’m done.  I’m done living for others.  I’m done living for me.  Instead I’m focusing everything on ONLY Jesus.  Every day I must rededicate myself to this task.  Each day I must resolve to live ONLY for Him.  After all, when it’s all said and done, nothing else matters.