High Office
I read one time the story of Ambrose, a great figure in
Early Church history. He was the Roman governor of Liguria
and Aemilia, a great scholar who ruled with such loving care
that people were said to regard him as a father. The area's
bishop died and discussion arose regarding a successor. In
the midst of the discussion, the voice of a small child
lifted above the noise of the crowd, "Ambrose-bishop!
Ambrose-bishop!" The crowd took up the cry. Ambrose actually
fled the city by night to avoid the high office being
offered him by the Church.
It is said that when John Rough summoned John Knox to the
ministry publicly, from the pulpit in St. Andrews, Knox was
appalled. History of the Reformation reports that John Knox
burst forth with abundant tears, and withdrew himself to his
chamber. His countenance and behavior, from that day until
the day he was compelled to present himself in the public
place of preaching, did sufficiently declare the grief and
trouble of his heart. No man saw in him any sign of mirth,
nor yet had he pleasure to accompany any man, for many days
together."'
These are merely examples of two great men who maintained a
true sense of their own inadequacy for high office. Ambrose
was willing to serve as governor but was humbled by even
being considered for the office of bishop. John Knox was
humiliated and therefore walked in humility. We need to
fertilize the fields of humility. That's the place where the
flower of unity grows. I'm afraid the Church today makes
more room for self-promotion and position seeking than did
these two great gentlemen who were humiliated even at the
potential of being chosen to be a servant of the Lord. Where
is the servant's mentality among us? It's time for the
towel, not the sword.
Tenney, Tommy. God's Dream Team. Ventura, CA: Regal Books,
1999, p. 44-45.