I walk across
the stage and receive my reward…I turn and wave to the crowd. I feel the crowd stand in pure
amazement at my success. I am
overcome with self-gratitude and am proud of my accomplishments. I have done so well. I have practiced and strived for this
perfection. I have tried to be the
best I could be. I deserve this. I deserve this. I deserve this.
How many
times in life do we think similar things to the above paragraph? We strive to be better and when we
succeed we feel we deserve the reward.
It is not bad to be rewarded for hard work,
But what is our motive? Why do we strive for others to praise
us?
I have always
struggled with the desire to be praised. I know God has gifted me with musical talent and I know He
has great things in store for my life and the Kingdom through music. But many times I stand on stage and my
heart desires the praise
of man…
I proclaim, “Look at me”, “I am so
great”, “I am so talented”, and “I deserve your praise.”
God blesses
us with gifts and things that we are good at. But there is a fine line between striving to be better to
bring Him glory and striving to receive more praises of man.
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the
Name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
We hold onto
our dreams, our talents, and our success and tell God, “No this is mine! I deserve
this!”
I battle with
this before I step onto stage
My soul desires to bring God praise,
but my flesh wants it for myself.
“Those
who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8
It comes down to crucifying my flesh & asking myself
who do I desire to please: Myself or God?
It is a daily struggle of crucifying
our flesh and declaring,
“Not
unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to your name we give glory.”
Psalm 113:8
