“What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
Do you remember some of the growing pains you went through when you started your walk with Jesus? I know that is not a fun question to think through. Reflecting on how I acted, thought, and walked with Jesus when I said “yes” to God’s ministry years ago is almost as bad as Facebook memories. Jesus has brought me so far, or more importantly, Jesus has brought me so close to Him to realize those growing pains.
One of my most prominent growing pains that took years to work through was relevant to our verse today. Because of my personality, I tend to take on a hero complex with other people. In other words, I feel as though it is my responsibility to save them from whatever they might be facing. This “responsibility” I wrestled with was far worse when I first started walking with Jesus; somehow, I was convinced that the team was on my back and I needed not just to lead people to Jesus, but I had to be the one who got them to walk with Jesus.
Speaking from experience, when you think you are the one who needs to save people from their sin, you are not successful, and it leaves you exhausted. I recall so many times I would bring friends to church and scratch my head on why they would not follow Jesus after one Sunday. Or, if somehow they did come to church with me, started walking with Jesus, but then went back to some old ways of life, I would get so frustrated. It was as though I was convinced their walk with Jesus was my responsibility. But thankfully, Jesus chipped away at that unhealthy view.
Ultimately, I had to realize that I am no hero. No matter how loving I am towards people, my life sacrificed for others would not save their souls. Maybe the better news for you and me is: my life did not have to be sacrificed to save the souls of others. Jesus offered the sacrifice for our souls, and that one sacrifice was entirely satisfactory. Jesus entered into our mess, dwelt among humanity, and gave up His life so that we would have light and life in its most complete form.
So, if we are not to save souls, what are we to do with this new life? Well, the intense and straightforward answer is: we live out the reflection of Jesus. There are so many ways people can hear about Jesus, but one of the most potent influences is your life lived as a mirror where the heart of Christ gets reflected. You can tell people about Jesus, and it just might get through to them; but when you love, value, and care for them, you get through to them.
Every moment we reflect Jesus in our lives is a chance for someone to get a glimpse of Jesus. Sometimes it only takes one glance, and sometimes it might take a hundred glimpses. But we can take heart in knowing that we do not mirror Jesus worthlessly because every glimpse leaves an imprint on people. “God causes the growth…” should be a promise of relief because it is a reminder that we are not a savior. We have not been called to a physical cross for humanity’s sin; rather, God charges us to be a child that reflects our Father.
So, as we go out as children and throw seeds, our Father does the impossible and causes growth in places we could have never imagined. Where do you wrestling with the hero complex? What relief does knowing God only asks to love others and not save them bring to the burden you feel for others?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for undeserved loving-kindness - it leads us to be children and mirrors of You. I pray that when people look at me, they see You in every area. Lead me to places where I need to plant seeds and let those seeds take root. I thank You for being You Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
