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written by Stephan Joubert

I once read an interview with the well-known South African boxing referee, Stanley Christodoulou. When asked what the greatest compliment was that he received as a referee, he referred to a world title fight that he handled in the USA. After the fight, he relaxed at the hotel’s restaurant. Someone with whom he struck up a conversation asked whether he watched the fight earlier that evening. For Stanley Christodoulou it was the best compliment imaginable that he as referee was so “invisible” in the ring that this spectator didn’t even recognize him.

I think as followers of Christ we must become just as invisible. People recognize us far too easily on the church foreground. Worse still, we sometimes stand in the way of others so that they can’t see the Lord. Our church infighting, theological debates that’s front page news daily, and our inability to love each other, are sight blockages. Let’s get out of the way.

Won’t it be a wonderful spiritual practice in 2010 to just get out of the way and allow God to do what only He can do through his Holy Spirit? How? Well, by:

• Expecting no recognition for what we do for the Lord this year.
• Expecting no ‘thank you’ when we do good toward someone.
• Staying out of religious and other arguments.
• Loving God quietly, but intimately, every day.

Prayer guidelines

• Thank the Lord for still making Himself known in the lives of millions of people today.
• Honor God for being at work visibly, and behind the scenes.
• Ask God to use you to quietly reflect his glory.