Motives & Legacy

Ever wonder what your life would be like if everyone praised your success, and turn a blinds-eye to your failures?

Ever wonder how some people are always praised for something you do everyday and never personally receive praise for the same task. Not that you ask for praise or feel like you will die without it, but just wonder how some are recognized over others. This takes us to 1 Chronicles 29:12 and 19(NLT).

• 12 “Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your and, it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength.”
• 19 “Give my son Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, decrees, and principles, and to build this Temple, for which I have made all these preparations.”

True honor and praise come from one source and that is God. This truly puts hearts into the right place when we may get stuck comparing ourselves to others who receive praise, honor, and riches over us. Then David goes straight to the heart of the matter and prays for his son Solomon to wholeheartedly desire and obey.

I ask the following questions of myself when at times caught in the angst of wanting praise or comparing myself to others, and hope they help you too.

1. Is my motive a momentary legacy or a spiritual legacy?
2. Am I doing what God wants or what I want?  (journey is always harder when “I” is involved)
3. Am I being courageous and praising God before myself? (taking out self)
4. Are all my thoughts and activities within and for His commands, decrees, principles, and preparation through my gifts? (everyone is gifted in different areas, and no comparison should ever be made)

Admittedly, 100% of the time when I have an uneasy feeling of watching others receive praise and not immediately being joyful for their success; it is because my motives are not within Gods design. The above  questions have helped me on a journey of praising others above all else; and myself!

Look UP and OUT my Friends!