I have been in the public eye for most of my life.  Our family has always been involved in pastoral and music ministry for as long as I could remember.  For that reason, I have found myself “in the spotlight” more times than I can count.  When I was younger, there were adults who would approach me (with good intentions) and praise me for a song I had sang or some other type of ministry I had been involved in.  Before I fully understood how to handle compliments in the right way, I would hold on to those affirmations and place myself in a position to do something that would allow me to receive even greater compliments.  I had become a monkey performing tricks for the applause of those around me.  I remember assuming the applause was the most valuable thing I could receive and I did everything in my power to get that desired response from others.  My eye opening experience came when I encountered someone younger and more talented.  I became jealous that person was receiving all the attention and accolades.  I suddenly felt like a failure.  Over time and with maturity, I began to understand how to better handle those types of situations and to receive compliments with the intention they were given.  Now, I understand everything I ever was or will be comes from God.  Those talents and abilities can be taken just as quickly as they have been given to me.

We have become a people constantly looking for the applause and/or attention of others.  We post something on social media and get offended when others don’t “like” us.  We are bothered when someone doesn’t respond in the way we think they should or– in the way we desire them to.  We focus our attention on how something makes us “feel” versus what was accomplished for the kingdom.  We find ourselves screaming….Look at ME…..Praise ME….Love ME!  Me…ME….ME….ME!!!!  God intends the life of a believer to be lived differently.  Matthew 6:1 (NLT) states, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”  Our goal isn’t to do anything for the applause of others rather as ministry and service to those around us.  Galatians 1:10 (ESV) states, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?  Or am I trying to please man?  If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”  What’s more important to you?  Receiving the praise of other’s or accomplishing great and mighty things for the kingdom of God?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Sure, it feels nice to our flesh to receive a compliment from time to time.  A pat on the back can be encouraging.  But we must realize, without God, we are nothing!  We are His creation.  The praise was never intended for you.  As scripture remind us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..” (Col 3:23 ESV)  Let’s keep things in perspective.

Have a blessed week, my friends!