In every person is a desire for significance: to be appreciated, needed, wanted, understood, listened to, and loved. We have many ways of trying to quench this inner thirst, and one way we attempt this is through seeking recognition from others. We have been working and slaving away, but no one seems to notice! A simple "Thank you!" would be nice, right? But the truth is, recognition and appreciation by others for a job well-done is a superficial fix which leaves our souls thirsty for more. Even as our bodies can be dehydrated by activity without replenishing fluids, Christians can find themselves feeling empty even after Jesus promised us satisfying springs of living water by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can quench our thirst for love, recognition, and forgiveness. Only Christians therefore are able to tap into this eternal source of living water and find rest for our souls. Not only that, but through faith in Christ we discover motivation and sustenance to continue labouring joyfully without recognition or applause from people. We must realise our lives have significance, not because of what we do, but in who God is and our relation to Him. The Almighty God created man in His own image - think of that! David wrote in Psalm 139:13-17, "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"
Not only does God know us, but He has ordained good works for us to enter into (Ephesians 2:8-10). The personal testimony of Jeremiah the prophet is relevant to us concerning our relationship to God as revealed in Jeremiah 1:4-5, "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." To be known by God! God knew Jeremiah before He fashioned him and set him apart for His divine purposes. If we knew God had called us as a prophet, there likely would be a temptation to pride and to broadcast our privilege. I mean, how would people recognise us as a prophet and appreciate our words unless we tell them? Well, the call of God does not mean people will recognise, appreciate, respect or accept you. Consider the life of Jeremiah!
C.H. Spurgeon is called "the prince of preachers," and became the most famous preacher in London and became known world-wide. He is widely quoted to this day. Yet this was never his ambition, to be known or recognised by men as someone great. He wrote of the planet Neptune, "Neptune had long been shining before he was discovered and named; and you and I brethren, may remain unknown for years, and possibly the world may never discover us; but I trust that our influence, like that of Neptune, will be felt and recognised, whether we are seen of men, or only shine in solitary splendour to the glory of God." (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students: Complete & Unabridged. New ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House, 1954. 438. Print.) God created Neptune to shine, and it had been shining a good while before anyone "discovered" it. Seeking recognition from men is a thirst which cannot be satiated by recognition from men. Strange, isn't it? Solomon wrote a man who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver (Ecc. 5:10), and desiring recognition from men is the same. Haman loved the praises of men, and when only one man in the entire kingdom did not bow to him he was filled with rage and sought to kill him.
Are you content to shine bright for God and serve Him faithfully even if you are never recognised by men? If your relationship to God as His beloved creation and redeemed children through faith in Christ is not enough for you, the world is better off not recognising you because you are like the world - without transformation, joy, peace or contentment. What does the scripture say concerning how we should live? Philippians 2:3-8 reads, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Jesus was lifted up - not in the minds of those respected in the world - as a man despised and rejected and nailed to a cross to die. Jesus did not count his "followers" every day on social media and was happy if the numbers were up or depressed because He had been "unfriended." He did not care to receive recognition from men, nor did He commit Himself to men because He knew what deceit, hypocrisy, and fickleness is in man. Our courage need not rise and fall with man's approval, for we have been accepted by God.
The people who recognise the Almighty God in Spirit and in truth are satisfied with His recognition alone. I still need an occasional reminder! Should I find myself disillusioned it is not because God has changed or deceived me, but at some point my focus shifted from praising my Saviour and remembering His sacrifice for me and started feeling sorry for myself. People of faith in Christ, take to heart Hebrews 12:1-3 to avoid the pitfall of discouragement: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." Having your labours or service recognised by others is no cure for discouragement, but considering the sacrifice and humility of Jesus is. Neptune still shines, and most people don't notice and don't care. So what? God does, and any and all rewards which count for eternity come from Him!
Jesus Christ is the only One who can quench our thirst for love, recognition, and forgiveness. Only Christians therefore are able to tap into this eternal source of living water and find rest for our souls. Not only that, but through faith in Christ we discover motivation and sustenance to continue labouring joyfully without recognition or applause from people. We must realise our lives have significance, not because of what we do, but in who God is and our relation to Him. The Almighty God created man in His own image - think of that! David wrote in Psalm 139:13-17, "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"
Not only does God know us, but He has ordained good works for us to enter into (Ephesians 2:8-10). The personal testimony of Jeremiah the prophet is relevant to us concerning our relationship to God as revealed in Jeremiah 1:4-5, "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." To be known by God! God knew Jeremiah before He fashioned him and set him apart for His divine purposes. If we knew God had called us as a prophet, there likely would be a temptation to pride and to broadcast our privilege. I mean, how would people recognise us as a prophet and appreciate our words unless we tell them? Well, the call of God does not mean people will recognise, appreciate, respect or accept you. Consider the life of Jeremiah!
C.H. Spurgeon is called "the prince of preachers," and became the most famous preacher in London and became known world-wide. He is widely quoted to this day. Yet this was never his ambition, to be known or recognised by men as someone great. He wrote of the planet Neptune, "Neptune had long been shining before he was discovered and named; and you and I brethren, may remain unknown for years, and possibly the world may never discover us; but I trust that our influence, like that of Neptune, will be felt and recognised, whether we are seen of men, or only shine in solitary splendour to the glory of God." (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students: Complete & Unabridged. New ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House, 1954. 438. Print.) God created Neptune to shine, and it had been shining a good while before anyone "discovered" it. Seeking recognition from men is a thirst which cannot be satiated by recognition from men. Strange, isn't it? Solomon wrote a man who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver (Ecc. 5:10), and desiring recognition from men is the same. Haman loved the praises of men, and when only one man in the entire kingdom did not bow to him he was filled with rage and sought to kill him.
Are you content to shine bright for God and serve Him faithfully even if you are never recognised by men? If your relationship to God as His beloved creation and redeemed children through faith in Christ is not enough for you, the world is better off not recognising you because you are like the world - without transformation, joy, peace or contentment. What does the scripture say concerning how we should live? Philippians 2:3-8 reads, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Jesus was lifted up - not in the minds of those respected in the world - as a man despised and rejected and nailed to a cross to die. Jesus did not count his "followers" every day on social media and was happy if the numbers were up or depressed because He had been "unfriended." He did not care to receive recognition from men, nor did He commit Himself to men because He knew what deceit, hypocrisy, and fickleness is in man. Our courage need not rise and fall with man's approval, for we have been accepted by God.
The people who recognise the Almighty God in Spirit and in truth are satisfied with His recognition alone. I still need an occasional reminder! Should I find myself disillusioned it is not because God has changed or deceived me, but at some point my focus shifted from praising my Saviour and remembering His sacrifice for me and started feeling sorry for myself. People of faith in Christ, take to heart Hebrews 12:1-3 to avoid the pitfall of discouragement: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." Having your labours or service recognised by others is no cure for discouragement, but considering the sacrifice and humility of Jesus is. Neptune still shines, and most people don't notice and don't care. So what? God does, and any and all rewards which count for eternity come from Him!
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