Have you ever stood back and thought, that was my work – I deserve the credit? Or perhaps the mistake of impression of how you look, what kind of an impression has taken you over to the point that you have forgotten that the substance underneath is of drastic significance.
It’s fine for someone to pat you on the back, to say congratulations, to recognize your unique abilities and special possibilities. But, there is a turn that comes when this becomes a burden rather than a pleasure, a craving rather than a highlight.
We aren’t alone with that. It’s not new. Jesus commented about the Pharisees, comparing what they said verses what they did. “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on the garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’” (Matthew 23: 5-7).
These were men gravitating to the lime light, craving the bright lights and big letters on the marquis, wanting the write ups in the newspaper. Maybe this group had forgotten how much fun it is to give in secret, to know that someone would be blessed and not know who is was from. Perhaps they forgot how much joy can be found in doing the right things, not for public approval, but for God’s approval.
Let’s not forget.
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