Perryn Rice: Associate Pastor - Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Story Published:
May 20, 2010 at 4:05 PM CST
Story Updated:
May 20, 2010 at 4:05 PM CST
I think it's just human nature to want to be appreciated.
Whenever either one of our children do something noteworthy, they quickly tell us.
We quickly acknowledge their accomplishment - whether it is moving up to the next grade in school or coloring within the lines.
No one wakes up in the morning hoping to be under-appreciated. It's a characteristic of being human.
But if not closely monitered, we can find ourselves living only for the pats on the back; the awards and appreciation services; the "thata boy's" and "thata girl's."
And when praise from others doesn't come fast enough, we'll declare it ourselves. A monumental part of our lives as Christians is humility. Being humble is an "attractive" quality in a Christian which links other patterns of our belief: If you want friends, you must first be friendly to others(Prov. 18:24).
If you want to be great, you must be a servant (Matt. 20:26). As Christians, everything we do should draw us closer to the Lord and draw attention to the Lord. The joy of the Lord TRULY is our strength and passion.
This is hard to do when we are trying to steal praise for ourselves...or we're so upset with the recognition someone else is receiving that we draw attention to ourselves. I believe there are many who recognize what you do for the kingdom. They may not be so quick to print your name in the bulletin or stand before the assembly and declare your invaluable service, but they see what you do.
And even if they don't, the Lord does and the Lord rewards. If praise is our concern, we should make sure it's the Lord's praise and not our own.
