I just received an e-mail from a dear servant and friend who was disheartened by an offertory she played for our worship service. She was discouraged with her performance and disappointed by the overall response of the congregation. I have felt the same. How many times have I planned, prepared for, and executed an act of service only to face disillusionment. Elijah experienced it, too, after slaying the prophets of Baal.
Which brings me to questions for you, the reader: If you are serving the Lord, why are your serving? What is your desired outcome? And how does this affect your preparation and your act of service? Please tell me, I'm anxious to know how and why the Body of Christ is working in and around the world.
I have often thought of this myself. On one hand, we want to be validated/appreciated by our brothers and sisters in Christ. On the other we know that it truly is only our Heavenly Father's opinion that matters. Then you consider the sermon on the mount, and you think you'd rather not get praise from people and get your reward in a day to come. I find the most difficult to deal with is when you try to keep your heart pure and humble - serving with no one but Christ in mind. And someone notices, and shows appreciation of some sort. I think a right response in that situation is difficult - keeping a right attitude about the service in a moment of almost surprise...
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