Flying Under The Radar

 "From the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him; there! A people dwelling alone, not reckoning itself among the nations." Num.23:9

One of the genius things that pastor Mitchell did for our Fellowship is that he deliberately sought to fly under the radar. He never thought it wise to draw attention to himself. He never strove to be on television. Evidently pastor Mitchell had his ego under control.

Our text tells us part of Balaam's prophecy over Israel. He describes them as a people dwelling alone, and not reckoning itself among the nations. They got into trouble by wanting to be like the nations around them. To have a king like they have. To form alliances with neighboring kingdoms. As though being the people of God was not enough. And we read in the Bible a history of how giving in to ego and desiring acceptance from the world plays out over time.

Our calling is to be in the world, but not like the world. To be salt and light in a drab and dark world. Our calling is to be unique and a place where God can dwell. The mega church movement is an attempt to impress the world by imitating the world. Any attempt to be like the world is rooted in pride. Look at us, look at what we've done. 

We used to mock the sweet by and by. But there is safety in waiting until Heaven to be rewarded for what we've done.

I am regularly surprised to find out how smart pastor Mitchell really was.