About a decade ago I wrote a Monday Memo about a former University of Memphis football player named Ken Irvin. The original message was about how Ken blocked four punts in a game against Arkansas, a feat ignored by the local press...my point being that sometimes we don't get the recognition we deserve.
Even though the guy being paid to write about the game that day overlooked Ken's record-setting performance, there were others who took note. For one, an NFL scout working for the Buffalo Bills. He noticed Ken's play, as did other key Buffalo personnel, and they began to follow his collegiate career. Irvin was eventually selected as the Bills' fourth round pick in the 1995 draft. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, retiring in 2005.
Ken's story reminds us of the importance of right recognition. Getting overlooked by the local paper? Annoying, but no big deal in the grand scheme of things. Getting overlooked by representatives of the NFL? A big deal indeed for the man who wants to play professionally. Given the choice of who's paying attention, players would prefer the NFL scout, hands down.
In your work, you need to seek the right recognition for your efforts. It's not from those who can only offer praise and only inflate your pride. It's from the One whom you've committed yourself to serve, to honor, to glorify. He's the one whose attention you need, his is the only recognition that matters.
The good news is that he notices what you do, even when no one else does. The prophet Azariah counseled Asa, the king of Judah...
"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." (2 Chronicles 15:7)
Paul echoed these words in his letter to the Galatians...
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
God is paying attention. He sees what you accomplish even when no one else does. And he will see to it that a harvest comes your way. Rather than playing for those in the stands, rather than performing to impress the press, seek to gain God's approval in all you do.

Steve May