It was one of those—this, this is why we are here—moments. A literal life was likely saved, and good came out of a difficult situation because of the ministry the Father allows us to do. And yet… it wasn’t a story for the newsletter. There was no praise, no amazement at the success, no acknowledgment of a job well done. People’s personal lives were involved. Ethically it is their story to tell, not mine. I tuck the experience away in my heart marveling at how, when one is obedient incredible change can happen. The Father knows even when everyone else might not.
I had a baffled former employer ask me once why I was planning to work overseas. “Are they paying you? But you have so many talents.” In this person’s mind ministry to the least of these was best left to those not suited to other types of work. I had some giftings. Why waste that?
It’s true. Instead of raises, cross-cultural work often has the added weight of raising your own financial support. It’s rare to receive an award. Much does go unseen because when you love people, you respect their privacy which can often mean not sharing a powerful story. Then at times, when you are able to write that great newsletter, only two people take the time to respond. Ministry is probably not the job for you if recognition is your primary motivator.
It’s normal for the human soul to want recognition. I grew up in a family where, if you skip back a generation, it was seen almost as a sin to praise someone. Pride is sin. Praising someone might lead them to pride, so instead of directly telling someone they did a good job the tendency was to point how out everyone around that person was doing a good job. The logic, I suppose, is that this prevented anyone from getting too big of a head. I wrestled with this for years until coming to the realization that the pride of thinking that you can do things apart from God is the sin warned against in the Bible. To tell someone that they did a good job is not pride. The human heart longs to hear “well done, good and faithful servant.” We should strive for success in this sense. I think one of the most beautiful and intimate passages in Scripture is when Jesus is baptized by John and the Father openly declares, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” A life lived well brings pleasure to the Father.
We should seek, in all that we do, to follow Christ’s example of a life well-lived even in the quiet moments when no one sees us. Many times success happens in the shadows. It can be helping someone else succeed at reaching their goals. It can be saying no to a good thing so that you have the energy to fully focus on the task that God has placed in front of you.
I sat on the floor at a church event a few years back. I never stood at the front to share. I ate the food given me. I made small talk and joined in the program just like everyone else around me. As I was leaving, a friend took the time out to share how much he appreciated my presence there and how I was willing to eat food that I didn’t grow up eating and leave my home and comfort zone to be there. His simple comments touched me. Maybe, at times, success isn’t being upfront and receiving a standing ovation. Maybe success is sitting on the floor and listening to someone else speak. Maybe success isn’t always doing it your way but being willing to walk alongside others that God has gifted and quietly support their success.
In this season of life, I often find myself home with the kids while my husband goes out and does the visible ministry. To be honest, I often feel like I’m failing at parenting. I manage to stop one child from crying just for the next one to start. Some days I give up and just join the crying. I do try as Elisabeth Elliot so wisely chose in difficult circumstance to just “do the next thing”. Sometimes the successes feel so, so small. “Whatever your hand finds to do,” Ecclesiastes 9:10 says “Do it with all your might.”
I don’t know, friend, if you feel successful right now, if you feel seen. What I do know is that even when we are in the desert just like Hagar was, we serve El Roi the God who sees. Maybe you’re sitting on the floor today unable to utter more than a few words in a language that others around you have mastered. It’s ok. Maybe no one sees your successes. Maybe you get more criticism than praise. Hold on dear one. He sees you in the secret moments. He sees your heart even when no one else does. You are his dearly loved daughter in whom he is well pleased.
Do you feel seen in your successes or do your accomplishments often take place in the shadows?
Just read this article this morning and it was such a blessing and an encouragement to me. Thank you!
Thank you. So glad to hear that it was encouraging to you.