Thursday thoughts: Focus on the One who truly deserves to be famous

Jill Johnson

He is the only one who could get me through the trials of life and for that alone, I pray others see He is widely known and famous in my life.”

My husband is quite the character. He is always making up games, tricks, jokes, and anything else just to make the grandkids laugh. He has convinced them he has things that are “famous.” For instance, they will ask “Buddy” to make them one of his “famous” grilled cheese sandwiches (which truthfully is just like I make it, but his is famous?).

He will tell them he is taking one of his “famous” shortcuts – which in essence is probably longer than the normal route. He also makes “famous” chocolate milk. (Just a side note – when my kids were younger our church made a cookbook and he actually put a recipe in there for chocolate milk which is basically white milk with chocolate syrup, then stir).

The funny thing about all this is the kids believe these things are better with him and they are definitely “famous.” If you look up the definition of famous, it will say “widely known.” I don’t think Buddy will ever be widely known outside of our family, but I know our Savior will be.

I was listening to a song this morning on my way in and it just made me so very thankful for my God. He definitely is who I hope and pray my children and grandchildren see and will remember about my life - just God. Here are just a few of the ways my God has been famous in my life.

First of all, I did not grow up regularly going to church. I also didn’t grow up in an overly affectionate family. I knew my parents loved me, but it really was not something that was talked about or outwardly shown. I was not introduced to Jesus until my senior year in high school. I can assure you that God protected my life the 17 years before I was saved. I am so thankful that He loved me enough to redeem me and give me the promise of eternal life with Him. My God sent his son to die for my sins, and for that alone He is famous in my eyes.

I will not even begin to claim my or my family members' lives have been easy. Just to mention a few things that have happened in our life – different houses that we have lived in have burned, flooded, and been broken into. We have raised and continue to raise a special needs child/adult. I can tell you that she has challenged us greatly and given us joy. At 40 she can drive you crazy repeating stories over and over (and don’t get me started on text messages which she has learned to copy and paste if you don’t answer her quick enough). There is not a day that goes by that we do not have to deal with some type of issue concerning her but even in all of this she is so loved, and God has been so good to us.

We have lived through the loss of jobs, multiple health issues and surgeries, the death of parents, and many other trials. Have there been days when I felt like I wanted to give up? Yes! But God was always faithful to carry me through. He is the only one who could get me through the trials of life and for that alone, I pray others see He is widely known and famous in my life.

I love the scripture in Isaiah 43:2 that says “When you cross deep rivers, I will be with you, and you won’t drown. When you walk through fire, you won’t be burned or scorched by the flames.” Only God can do that. For all the times when we feel like we are drowning or in the flames of hot fires, He is there to comfort and protect us. He is the famous One who sustains us in all our ups and downs of this journey called life. I heard a song on the way to work this morning. The chorus goes like this:

“You’ve walked me through fires

Pulled me from flames

If You’re in this with me

I won’t be afraid

When the smoke billows higher and higher

And it feels like I can barely breathe

I’ll walk through these fires cause You’re walking with me”

I will never be famous and I’m certainly okay with that. I can't walk through flames and rescue someone. I am thankful I know someone who will walk through this life leading me every step of the way.

I’m okay with my grandchildren thinking Wayne makes famous chocolate milk and grilled cheese sandwiches. My prayer is that somewhere in the ups and downs of our life journey we will point others to God. I pray they see that we place our trust and faith in God and He is what gives our life purpose. I want my life to point others in that same direction.

I pray our words and actions will show that He is the only One who is and needs to be famous. "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good words and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) Who is famous in your life?

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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.