I struggle with recognition. I struggle with wanting it and fearing it.
I don’t want recognition, from anything other than Christ, to validate my life.
There are times I battle the fear of not being recognized with a “job well done” and then failing. Perhaps you've been there, too.
Then, there are times (like writing and encouraging women in my case) when I know what God is calling me to do, yet I have to move forward with caution because it is so easy to take recognition for myself rather than placing it on God.
Sisters, no matter how big or small our opportunity of influence is, we must—we must—cling to Christ.
I have turned away opportunities or stopped pursuing certain ventures because I knew I would be doing it for recognition. I knew that my eyes would be taken off of Christ and put on myself (thank you Holy Spirit). I want to live in such a way that declares I would rather live a quiet life where no one knows my name than take my eyes off of Christ.
Success is not a bad thing, but we have to ask ourselves what it is doing to our hearts. Does our success point to Christ and the gospel?
No matter who you are or what you do—whether you're a CEO, barista, nurse, full-time college student or a stay-at-home mom—the need for recognition can seep into any of our callings.
Let us remember that while we are pursuing God in these spaces—when Christ pours out of us and onto those in our care—this is success. This is Kingdom of God work and it is storing up treasures in heaven rather than building up our recognition here! (1 Timothy 6:19)
Let’s dare to pray that God would convict us of our plans if treasures will not be stored in Heaven. Let's dare to pray that God would give us the courage to pursue what He is calling us to regardless of the recognition we may or may not receive from the world! Let's dare to make His name known.
About the Author
Meet Shauni MacLean, a native of Washington State and a wife of nearly nine years to the only guy (besides her dad) who saw a light in her. Shauni and her husband are parents to two little treasures, Lilly and Molly. She is 31 years old, and aside from wife-life, mama-life and writing, she is a registered nurse in the field of pediatrics.
After receiving God’s comfort and revelation through inner trials over the last seven years, Shauni has been led to be uncomfortably vulnerable with her past and current struggles, as well as the Kingdom of God triumph that follows, so that other women can be encouraged. When Shauni writes, she is thinking of the women that need to know that we are all in the same fight that will lead to victory.
You can be encouraged on your journey as a wife and relate with Shauni on her blog.
You can also receive real-life inspiration, from good times to hard times, with her on Instagram.
