A lot of people have aspirations of being famous. The modern culture promotes it. How many reactions can this Facebook post get? How many "friends" can I get? How many followers can I get on Twitter or Instagram? How many likes and subscribers can I get on YouTube? The list goes on.
Personally, I have no interest in fame. All those social media numbers are little more than vanity numbers. My name will most likely never appear in a history book or as a celebrity credit of any kind. I will be lost to history. And I'm okay with that; I actually prefer it.
It's not that I've accomplished nothing with my life. Far from it. However, most of what I do happens behind the scenes. It is done with little to no acknowledgment or fanfare.
One of my favorite historical figures is someone you've most likely never heard of, as there is very little account of his life. His name was Daniel Nash, often referred to as Father Nash.
Most people in the church world are familiar with Charles Finney, who was largely responsible for preaching during the Second Great Awakening. What most people don't know is Daniel Nash's involvement.
Nash would often go into a town before Finney arrived and find a couple people to pray with him. They would spend the days leading up to Finney's arrival in intense prayer. And while Finney was preaching, they would continue in prayer, usually in a secluded room or basement of whatever building the meeting took place in.
The outcome will historically be accounted to Finney's actions. He was basically the front man for the Awakening, though he knew it wouldn't have been possible without Nash's involvement. So much so that, when Nash died, it was only a few weeks later that Finney stopped traveling, stepped out of preaching revival meetings, and went back to pastoral life at a church.
You'll be hard pressed to find any information about Daniel Nash. Most often a story about Nash and his accompanying intercessors travailing in prayer for several days in a basement. Or one of Finney recounting Nash's involvement and the power of his prayers. Otherwise, Nash is lost to history; a mostly unknown figure.
Nash showed himself through his actions, found his purpose and value in God alone, and didn't rely on cheap or petty talk. As one who constantly worked behind the scenes, bringing no attention to himself, he is an example of incredible humility and meekness, yet showing power and authority through his actions.
For that, I admire Nash. Such is an example to be followed.
Finney replied, 'Like anybody who does a lot of praying, Father Nash is a very quiet person.' Show me a person who is always talking and I'll show you a Christian who never does much praying.