Finding the Right Perspective || 20% delegated to @teamg-nigeria

Praises and honor are wonderful things. We need that little reassurance that what we do gets noticed. It encourages us to continue on and to keep working hard. There is nothing wrong with receiving recognition for a job well down. While we need not shun accolades, we do need to keep them in perspective. One great verse to help us remember what truly matters is Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.” Since we do what we do for God’s glory and benefit (no matter what that is), we need not be focused on receiving the praises and thanks of men. In other words, it’s nice to receive recognition but we don’t work for it. Our work output shouldn’t change based on whether or not we believe we will get recognition for it. If we do receive praises for our work, we shouldn’t allow that to puff up our pride so that we become delusional to believe that we deserve to be constantly praised and raised higher than others

Jesus taught about the correct perspective concerning our work ethic. Matthew 23:11-12 records him saying, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” It is our duty to serve one another. We serve because Christ himself served the very least of us by dying for us on the cross. None of us could ever serve with greater sacrifice than he did. None of us deserve greater praises than he does.

Work hard at whatever you do because people see God in your work. Work with a smile that doesn’t require gratitude because we understand that our true ‘thanks’ come from God. Foster the heart and attitude of a servant, but not a grumbling and oppressed servant. We serve out of love. We serve because God’s kingdom stresses unity that relies on each of us carrying one another in and through love. When we have the right perspective on work and recognition, we will find that our reward comes from the service and the joy of seeing how God can use what we do to further His kingdom and spread love in this world. If you are struggling with feeling unappreciated, tilt your perspective a bit, and you will see that what we do, we do for the Lord and we receive thanks from Him.