5:7 – Getting Noticed For Doing What’s Right

#faithbites #faithjourney noticed

Intro

If you talk about the five love languages, one of mine is appreciation. I like to know that what I do matters and want to be noticed for it. I’m not doing it to be noticed, I’m doing it to help because I want to, but being appreciated and noticed matters. Sometimes, that recognition takes a long time to come. Some call it paying your dues, other’s say it will happen when it’s right. Something has clicked these past couple of weeks and I’m getting noticed and recognized for the work I’m doing at work, my service, and what I’m doing at home. Now that I’m starting to allow people to do more, it’s coming through, and it feels great.

Again, we should do things for praise. We should serve because we want to serve, but being noticed and appreciated helps. We also know that God wants us to serve, even though we are saved by faith alone and not our works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Questions

• Is wanted to be noticed ok?
• How can we share that we want to be appreciated without seeming like we are doing it for the adoration?

Scripture

• Ruth 1:8 – But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me.
• 2 Samuel 2:6 – May the Lord be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done.
• Romans 1:8 – First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

Reflection

The three selected verses demonstrate how people are showing appreciation to others for their service. In Ruth, Naomi thanks her daughters-inlaws for their kindness and wants the Lord to reward them. In 2 Samuel, Samuel is asking the Lord to be loyal for all of the work they have done. Now, finally, in Romans, Paul thanks God for the faith of the people in Rome. Their faith is shown through the works they do. While works don’t bring salvation, faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26).

As a society, we need to get better at recognizing each other, thanking one another, and serving out of love. Serving out of love doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be recognized. I often see people turn down awards and even thank yous because they feel it cheapens the service. Your intent hasn’t changed just because someone thanks you. God knows what is in your heart.

As we close, remember it is ok to be recognized and to recognize others for their work, service, and help in all situations. Nothing like an honest heartfelt thank you to move mountains.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing us how to serve. You served with a pure heart in all you did. The people thanked you for healing them, giving them salvation, and providing them hope. You never served to get that adoration as you don’t need it. Help us to realize that being recognized is ok. Our wanting appreciation is ok. We pray that our service is always of the best intentions and that we are appreciated for that service. We lift this in your name, Amen.