Monday, June 13, 2005
Legitimate Nobility
He walks in the room – a small man – unnoticed. His demeanor does nothing that says look at me. He is quiet, but deliberate. He types on his laptop while others speak. His face is expressionless. He appears to be one of the masses that you would never pick out of a crowd and say this one is special – but then, again, those who are the most special only stand out when courage is necessary. I deliberately catch his eye and grin–-he grins back. Who is this guy? Man, was I in for a surprise!
He’s three generations removed from nobility. At that time in history, his direct ancestor was worshipped, revered, and feared. Nations paid homage and sought his counsel before making decisions, but that day is now long passed. We barely remember his ancestor’s name.
As I hear his story I am moved. Other Americans at the table gather to hear it as well. Many of them give commentary. I just wish they’d shut up and listen to his story and stop interrupting. I wish I could share it with you--I can’t.
Now, his descendant is also noble, but for a different reason. He’s a businessman, an artist, and a believer in Jesus. He shares all the principles of leadership he learned from his ancestor. He could live here and tell his whole story, have a bestseller, be on all the TV networks and make the speaking circuit, but, instead, he goes back to his own homeland and lives out faith there. He reminds me of what those men from Cyprus and Cyrene who went to Antioch in Acts 11 must have been like.
This is why the first will be last and the last first. No one in America’s story can come close to his, but his story will remain silent until Heaven. Thank you God. You have a way of putting everything right. I hope in heaven, we all get to hear his story. You will weep, shout, and God will be glorified that someone from so much power, with power to be gained chooses instead to give it away so others can know Christ. His story is not mine to share, I will not rob him of what heaven waits to give him.
He’s three generations removed from nobility. At that time in history, his direct ancestor was worshipped, revered, and feared. Nations paid homage and sought his counsel before making decisions, but that day is now long passed. We barely remember his ancestor’s name.
As I hear his story I am moved. Other Americans at the table gather to hear it as well. Many of them give commentary. I just wish they’d shut up and listen to his story and stop interrupting. I wish I could share it with you--I can’t.
Now, his descendant is also noble, but for a different reason. He’s a businessman, an artist, and a believer in Jesus. He shares all the principles of leadership he learned from his ancestor. He could live here and tell his whole story, have a bestseller, be on all the TV networks and make the speaking circuit, but, instead, he goes back to his own homeland and lives out faith there. He reminds me of what those men from Cyprus and Cyrene who went to Antioch in Acts 11 must have been like.
This is why the first will be last and the last first. No one in America’s story can come close to his, but his story will remain silent until Heaven. Thank you God. You have a way of putting everything right. I hope in heaven, we all get to hear his story. You will weep, shout, and God will be glorified that someone from so much power, with power to be gained chooses instead to give it away so others can know Christ. His story is not mine to share, I will not rob him of what heaven waits to give him.
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