True Confession:
I am a Kudos Junkie.
Probably too much, I like it when people notice when I’ve done a good job…whether it’s a major project, like planning a production or writing a novel, or a minor project, like cleaning the fridge or having a good hair day. If someone acknowledges my effort or work, I seem to walk an inch taller. Feel a bit better about myself. It’s to the point that if no one says anything, I begin to think that maybe I did a poor job, or the project wasn’t excellent (and I’m embarrassed to admit this), but I can even get in my head that maybe the people connected to that endeavor are disappointed or upset with me. I know. I need help.
But let’s be honest: don’t we all love it when we get more likes and comments on a particular social media post? Don’t we think, “I nailed that!” when we see all those bubbly notifications? Probably some of you can relate…so make sure to like this post at the bottom and share it with all your friends (hahaha)!
I try not to care, because I do realize the superficiality of it all. I wish I was more like my husband, who is perfectly content to excellently serve people without needing their approval. He’s higher on the Emotional Quotient scale than I am. Don’t get me wrong, he appreciates an acknowledgment of his servant’s heart…but he doesn’t need it…unlike one other very awesome person that I know. (See what I did there? Again, the necessity of receiving therapy has been noted.)
This week Jay and I have been celebrating our 20th Anniversary in Paris! Already having walked 45 miles, we have gorged our senses in history, architecture, cuisine, art, and religion. I could write an opus, and I’m sure more about this trip will be blogged, but today I want to encourage all of my fellow Kudos Junkies out there. I’m sure there are more than a few of you.
NOTRE DAME.
Stalwart grace. Staggering beauty. Profound presence of God.
As I prayed at one of her altars, I could not help but wonder how many prayers Heaven has heard and answered from this geographic spot? She is over 850 years old, with 14 million people visiting every year. How many languages has our Father God listened to? How many souls have touched Heaven because of the glory of Christ represented here? It’s a countless number to you and me, but God knows the exact number of people, including the tally of the very hairs on their heads. Selah.
The men who began this project must have their names engraved somewhere inside this holy place, yes? Those who were responsible for Notre Dame’s genesis way back in the 1100s must be a household name, right? Au contraire. Read this excerpt below that I found in the history:
Nobody knows the names of the individuals who designed and began constructing this glorious wonder for the first ONE HUNDRED YEARS! I stopped and read that sentence a few times…and it inspired me. I’m sure there could’ve been a way for at least ONE of them to secretly carve his name in a corner somewhere (gotta say…I’m not sure I could’ve resisted). But this constituency of families was not about getting glory for themselves. The only glory they were interested in was that which could be magnificently offered to the only One who deserves any glory at all: Jesus Christ.
Wow.
…humbled…
Suddenly caring about social media numbers seems as trite as it actually is.
The Fearless 365 Week Twenty Challenge: FEARLESS TO BE ANONYMOUS. How much different would your life be if your one and only concern was to please God? What if you genuinely had not the remotest care if anyone, except God, noticed all the hard work you do? What if the only applause you ever needed was sounded from the hands of your Father? I believe there is a level of tremendous freedom and authentic, eternal reward awaiting those who will dare to approach life with this mindset.
Please join me this week in taking the time to prayerfully ask these questions and meditate on their answers. Ask God to show you any changes you need to make, as well as the strategies to implement in order to grow in this area. I know I’m going to need the Holy Spirit to help me re-prioritize my values and strengthen my resolve to solely trust in God for my self-esteem and my sense of accomplishment.
These unknown Notre Dame heroes have inspired and convicted me, and I hope their story reaches your heart as well. Here are some scriptures to strengthen your heart to be fearless to give your everything to God…and not care who gets the credit.
"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." --Colossians 3:17
"Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
"Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father." --Philippians 2:5-11 (The Message Bible)
