Christian Living

Recognition, please…

by jay supetran
07/10/17
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Seek good not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Amos 5:14

Some of us may be raised in the family where expectations on children to perform are high. Parents goad children to perform in front of other people and in return receive praise and even a prize. Refuse or perform poorly and reprimand or even punishment will follow. At home, in school and later on at work, people are expected to perform and show off. This developed the mindset for many to strive to be on top, or else you will be part of the miserable and nameless mass. Perform and succeed, be on top, these are the words understood by the world.  Failure means losing recognition and ignominy.

Industries spawned to cater to man’s cravings for recognition.  Fashion and beauty products are aimed at making people conform to the image of being attractive and successful. A contest highlights the best among best bestowing titles such as Miss Universe and Miss World. Show business idolized their Best Actors and Best Actresses, even creating a higher level of recognition in the Hall of Fame for those on top of the heap. And this is not limited to show business. Practicing professionals recognize their peers by giving awards. We have Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize and other prizes for all to know we are above the rest. These awards and prizes for some becomes the end in itself, the meaning of life and the reason for being.

Two biblical characters reflect this craving for recognition. The first was Martha, the brother of Lazarus and Mary.  She worked hard to be recognized as the diligent housekeeper. Her work was not primarily to make Jesus’ stay in their house to be as comfortable as possible, but for Him to notice her. When her efforts failed, she chastised Jesus and ordered Him to reprimand her sister Mary! In trying to make the Lord notice her, Martha missed the more important things.

The second was the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son. He worked in the estate of his father to the point of being like a ‘slave.’ The work however was not meant to grow the estate, but for the father to recognize him.   He took offense when the father recognized someone who was the exact opposite of his attitude. What he forgot was that as a son, he was the co-owner of the father’s estate. All he has to do is enjoy the wealth and being his father’s son!

It is sad to be in a world where people live just to please others. As Christians, we are called to please the Lord and seek only His recognition. Colossians 3:23-24 says, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.’

The promise of a heavenly reward should be enough for us to pursue our God-given calling.

Only by seeking His recognition are we going to find happiness in this life. Let us look forward to the time when we will face God and He will say, ‘Well done my child…’