Shun the limelight

“I’m not sure I agree with Rick on this point.” That was my friend’s comment as we were discussing "The Purpose-Driven Life" and specifically Rick Warren’s directive to “avoid the limelight.” My friend protested, “But that’s not always possible.”

What exactly did Rick say?
•Real servants maintain a low profile.
•Self-promotion and servanthood don’t mix.
•You won’t find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it when possible.

Rick continues with some observations about the subtle dangers and temptations of living in the limelight. I can understand the heart of his warning. However, my friend is also right that it’s not always possible – or appropriate – to avoid the lime-light. In fact, Rick Warren himself doesn’t always succeed at avoiding it. He was recently on the cover of Newsweek – for Pete’s sake!!! Does that make him a hypocrite?

Which is it? Does he have a valid point or should we throw it out because it’s not feasible?

What if we change the word “avoid” to “shun”? Oops; that doesn’t work either. It means pretty much the same thing.
•To avoid deliberately, as a practice
•To keep clear of

So is there another word that might fit better? A word that means the opposite of “to grasp”, “to seek”, “to value.” Maybe I could copy Paul’s choice of words - and “consider it all dung” – so much crap. Rubbish. Not something to be valued.

At any rate, here’s what maybe we should do about the next limelight opportunity.
•Hold it loosely.
•Maintain a “Can take it or leave it” attitude.
•Don’t seek it.
•Don’t “value” it.

We’re talking about an attitude here.
•Instead of seeking to be up front, we operate as a team player.
•Instead of basking in the applause, we deflect the praise to God.
•Instead of grasping the prime spot, we invite others to the place of honor, we encourage them & provide opportunities for them.
•Instead of claiming credit, we watch for ways to make others look good.
•In word and in action (AND in spirit) we value the ministries of others as much as we might hope others would value ours.

Seems almost Biblical, doesn’t it?
•Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.
•Consider others ahead of yourself.
•Don’t choose the seat of honor.

What’s the conclusion?
While it is true that we may have limelight moments – serving “up front” or being appointed to a position of privilege &/or responsibility or receiving this or that honor - seems like we should realize that the spotlight isn’t really on us, but on the One whom we serve. It isn’t MY spotlight moment, after all, but His. “Not to us, but to Your name be the glory.”

A.W. Tozer illustrates:

"It’s the first Palm Sunday, and here comes Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds begin to shout 'Hosanna! Hosanna!' The old donkey pricks up his ears. Some in the crowd throw their coats in the road; others spread out palm branches.

“'Well!' says the donkey, switching a fly off a mange patch. 'I had no idea they really appreciated me like this! Listen to those hosannas, would you? I must really be something!'"

To that story Anne Ortlund aptly adds:
"Friends, if anybody comes around after the service saying, 'Wow! That was terrific!' – they’re not actually saying hosanna to you.

"All you did was bring Jesus to them."


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(This piece was written in 2007 when I was a church leader which sometimes meant being in the spotlight. Today I read a guest blog by Paul Baloche titled "Beware of the stage" - which reminded me of the topic. Edited May 2010)