12th June, 2007

CHRISSI ELLANKOON

One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'

      But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'

      Next, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'

      But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'

      Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'

      But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?'

      Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'

      The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

- Judges 9:8-15, New International Version (NIV)

One characteristic that most of us humans have in common is the need for recognition and status. You may not think that you really care, and on the surface you probably don’t. However, if you teach you want to be called teacher and, if you heal, you want to be called doctor.

The truth is, if you perform the function, then you want to be given the title. This in itself is not bad when it is in balance, however most people at some point crave and desire the title more than the function.

In Judges chapter nine, Jotham tells a parable to the people of Sheecham to instruct them on choosing a leader and king over the people.

There is so much in this parable that is important for our day to day lives. It highlights the importance of valuing our gift and function far above the need for title and position. The olive tree, fig tree and the grape vine understood the importance of the function that they had. The olive tree, for example, knew that the fruit it bore was pleasing to not only man, but God and therefore was reluctant to give up this function in order to become a king over the trees.

The trees had wisdom in knowing the importance of the fruit they bore and the gifts they had. Importantly, they had a revelation of the significance of their role and this gave them confidence. Our confidence and security should come from the fact the God has adequately equipped us for the work that He has called us to do. We each have a specific function which will be a blessing to the people around us, and, while it may not be a grand function, it is important never the less. This should give us confidence and assurance that we are important in the sight of God and that while we may not carry an impressive title, our self worth is not determined by the title we have.

There is divine protection in this truth. If we can be content to perform whatever function God has asked us to and bear fruit where we are, we will not go chasing for titles, which may in fact distract us from our God-given purpose. Many people have left careers they loved because they went chasing a title. Once they received the title they found no happiness there because they were not performing the function that God had intended for them. Make sure when promotions come your way, you are not swayed by the impressive title it carries or the money attached. Make sure that you have weighed up the function of the job, and that you enjoy and will be fruitful in that role and that it won’t in fact distract you from what you love to do.

Are you content to be fruitful where you are planted? Do you strive for titles and status? Pray and decide to be a person who is content to perform a function. Make your goal one to be fruitful whether in something small or large and know that it is of significance to God. Shift your focus from title to function. Look for ways to develop you function rather than chase a title.

Got a verse or a short passage you'd like us to look at? Just send an email to editor@sightmagazine.com.au.