I have been asked to post this again . . . move it ‘up to the top.’
I struggle with this . . . we all do to some degree. We all want to be recognized for what we contribute whether it is at our workplace, with our family and friends, at our church, or with other endeavors. We want others to know we are important . . . that our contribution matters . . . that we matter.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be appreciated or recognized. The dilemma arises when our quest for significance leads to idolatry . . . the propensity to ‘do what we do’ because of the praise we receive from others and their desire to be associated with us.
King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3-4) took this to the extreme when he made an image of gold and demanded all fall down and worship it. He later boasts that the great Babylon is a tribute to his mighty power and for the glory of his majesty. While the words are still on his lips, his dream is fulfilled. For the next twelve months he is driven from people, eats grass like cattle, his hair grows long, and his nails look like the claws of a bird. His sanity returns when he acknowledges all praise and glory is God’s. And for those who walk in pride HE (God) is able to humble.
Everything we have and everything we are is because of the grace and mercy of God. Our meaning in life – our significance – does not come because of what we do, but because of whose we are . . .