I will never forget the sight of a world pastor's convention years ago and the outcome of one man's sudden conviction. 

To set the scene, it was a televised event.  Pastors, evangelist, and world Christian religious leaders lined up on the stage, sitting in their chairs behind the pulpit, waiting for their chance to speak.  I recognized many of the "Who's who" of these church leaders of the Christian beliefs.

The stage was set.  A world known Christian leader was announced and walked proudly to the pulpit.  Laying his folder of notes and his Bible on the pulpit, he looked out over the crowd who had been anticipating this man's words for months.  This was his time.  He was the man.  The keynote.  The center of attention.  He stood proud as a peacock and was ready to fulfill the on lookers expectations of greatness.  And, I was impressed.

The man opened his folder and looked down at his notes.  There was a long pause of silence.  Dead air space of very expensive television air time.  Silence.  Deafening silence.  Still, this religious leader stood there and never looked up from his notes.  Then, he closed his folder and said, "I cannot preach this message today!"

"A layman came to me recently and told me I was missing it." he started and then there was that deafening silence again. 

This preacher began to silently cry.  "I thought when this man spoke those words to me, 'Who do you think you are? What have you done in the ministry?  Have you accomplished all that I have accomplished?  Have you done all that I have done?  Do you know who I am?'" 

Silence again.  Looking to his left at someone off stage, he said, "Cancel all my engagements immediately.  I am starting over.  I am going back to the streets to find what I have lost."  With that said, the man walked off the stage.  He had made himself the center of attention long enough.  He had made himself more important than God and it was time to stop, go back, and start over again.

Who are you?  Did you create the Universe and all things?  No!  God did.  You, like everyone else in this world, are God's creation.  You were created for good works.  But, it was never intended that you would take center stage. 

In humility, by God's grace, we are able to be a part of something very extraordinary and wonderful.  The kindgom of God is at hand.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, brought it with Him and allows us to take part in it as His ambassadors. 

This preacher impressed me and changed me from the moment I saw his arrogancy turn into true humility for all the world to see.  He knew he had taken the position of King Jesus instead of an ambassador for Jesus Christ.  God has honored him for his honesty.  No longer does this man take center stage.  It is not his place to do so.