We have only done our duty

“Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? Of course not! Instead, you say to him, ‘Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal.’ The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.’” Luke 17:7-10

As I read this today, it just jumped at me because our society has gotten to the point that we expect to be rewarded for the bare minimum. We give out trophies for participating, not just a ribbon, a trophy! We created entitlement wanting everything to be fair for children. I taught my children that the fair is an event the county or state hold every year in August or September.

While it is easy for me to get indignant about that entitlement, I know I can get caught in this trap of wanting to be recognized even when I just did what I was suppose to do. When I get a thank you or recognition, it feels insincere because I know I don’t deserve it. The thanks that means the most to me is a life transformed and their appreciation of my help. The one that means even more than that is knowing that my Heavenly Father is pleased with me.

At the end of the day, I am just an ordinary servant. Everything I do is meant to flow out of my relationship to God. I am the Lord’s servant. Christ’s blood paid the price for my life, so my life is not my own.

I can not look for the world’s validation and praise. They can see my actions, but they don’t know the motive of my heart. They can see my actions, but don’t know what God has called me to do, so they can’t know if I am acting in obedience or disobedience regardless what I accomplish. I am to do what the Lord tells me to do, nothing more or less.

Prayer – Lord, I am Your servant and I want to do everything You tell me to do. Help me to let go of the pride that says I should be acknowledged. The only acknowledgement I need is from You with the next command of what to do. I do thank You for the blessing of clients who let me know the difference that additional support means and encouragement has meant to them. All glory to You though because only You can change us.