Whether it is in sports, business or community service, organizations like to give recognition to those deserving it. That’s not a bad thing. We should honor those to whom honor is due. We need to watch our motivations, though. Seeking or gloating in recognition will cause pride to arise. Giving God the glory for all He has accomplished through us keeps Him on the throne of our heart.
“But he who glories, let him glory in the LORD. For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).
RELEVANCE
I have a bunch of trophies and plaques awarded for a variety purposes. Interestingly enough, ALL were awarded for things in which I failed or done poorly prior to being awarded the trophies. Through perseverance God lifted me up. He gave me grace, favor and honor. They are HIS trophies. They remind me of how He worked through the width, length, depth and height of His love, His strength—for His glory.
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14-19).
REFLECT AND RELATE
When things are looking difficult, ask the LORD how He will be glorified through the ordeal.
Keep your eyes on Him. Ask Him to fill you on all sides, from all perspectives, with His love and wisdom—to the width, length, depth and height!
REFERENCES
Romans 8:24-30