Make It A Big Deal

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For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: (Romans 11:13)

When I was in graduate school, one of the most celebrated professors on campus summoned me to his office. I was excited and apprehensive about the invitation. I was excited because I didn’t even know that this great man knew who I was. I was flattered! But I was also apprehensive because I didn’t know what he could possible want from me, nor if I had the bandwidth to deliver whatever request he might make.

Upon entering his office, we exchanged the usual pleasantries, and I did my best to act like I wasn’t nervous. He came quickly to the point. Looking at me squarely in the face, he said “Mr. Robinson you are extremely gifted. How do you plan to use your gifts?” Without missing beat I said “I plan to be a preacher.” His eyes narrowed, and then he said something I will never forget. He said “why would you want to do that? Anybody can do that.” As I processed his statement, I had an internal debate whether or nor to cuss him out. In honor of his reputation, I decided against it, and politely responded “Well, anybody can’t do it well.” Then I left his office as quickly as I could and never went back.

The professor’s plan for my life was different from my plan for my life. And when my plan didn’t match his plan, he employed a tactic that we must all develop the strength to defend ourselves against. It’s called minimization. All of us have used it. Even I had to stop and repent while I was writing this, because I have practiced it so far too often on far too many people myself.

When we minimize someone, we reduce their dreams or aspirations by ridiculing them. That’s what happened in that professor’s office. I will never forget the contempt in his eyes and the sarcasm in his voice when I shared my plan for my life. If I had not been secure in my identity and certain of my calling, my life may have taken a dramatically (wrong) and devastating turn that day.

I read once that one of the greatest regrets that so many people have at the end of their lives is that instead of living the life they wanted, they lived the life that someone else wanted for them. I am convinced this happens because we give the people we trust and often admire too much influence over our decisions. You gotta know that you know, and be prepared to disappoint people who disagree with you. You might be wrong. But at least the decision will be yours, and not someone else’s.

This is one of the most the powerful lessons tucked inside one of the greatest letters ever written. Writing to a group of Christians in the city of Rome, Paul tells them that he is the Apostle to the Gentiles, and that he magnifies his office. In that statement, Paul not only lets them know who he is and what he does, but let’s hem know what he thinks about who he is and what he does. In one translation of that verse, the expression “I magnify my office” is rendered “I lay great stress on what I do.” In another, it says “I make as much of this as I can.”

This statement is striking because at the time when Paul wrote this, being an “Apostle to The Gentiles” was not exactly an office that people were clamoring for. There were no lines trying to get inside the door with the sign “Apostle To The Gentiles” written on it. It is difficult for us to imagine a world with no bibles, no churches, and not a whole lot of Christians. But this was Paul’s world. In Paul’s time, it was highly dangerous and hugely unpopular to be a Christian. Even to be called a Christian was an insult. Yet Paul proudly defends his aspiration and his office. He says “I make as much of it as I can.” I magnify it. How honorable! How impressive! And how desperately we all need to imitate his example.

There are two extremely effective strategies that you can employ to make your plans a big deal.

First, protect them. Don’t share what’s in your heart too early or with too many people. You have to treat your plans like a new born child.

Second, invest in them. The more time, money, and energy you invest in your plans, the more your confidence will grow. The proper level of investment will let you know if your plans are a pipe dream or if they are rooted in the purposes of God.

Here’s the point: you’ve got to start making what is important to you a big deal, regardless how others may view it. Stop letting (even well-meaning) people belittle your hopes, your dreams, and your aspirations. Your plans don’t have to make sense to them. Nor is their approval required. Only two votes are required: yours and God’s.