Submit + Recognize
Can I be honest? Sometimes I skip the last part of the last chapter…the closing remarks…normally, at best, I tend to breeze through them.
Not a good practice.
That was proven today as I didn’t skip the last portion of 1 Corinthians.
You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
Good stuff…there’s a lot there. Here are the two pieces of gold I grabbed from this:
1. Submit to the laborer who is doing (and gifted in) the work. If you are a designer, media director, etc. this means you should be taking the lead in creative meetings. You are not merely the person who takes orders and makes it happen, but you are the one leading the creative march. There is wisdom in the leadership of your church or ministry to submitting to your expertise…they don’t have to, and I’d suggest shouldn’t be, calling all the shots. Same goes for people on your team…don’t just lead them, recognize their gifting.
2. It’s okay to be recognized. Just because you are doing work for the Lord doesn’t mean people shouldn’t recognize the work and talent that you are giving. I’ve had people take credit for the work we do for them, pastors patting each other on the back for their hard work while we sit in the shadow…I’ve always just sucked it up knowing that I don’t do it for recognition…but that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve it. I thought if I thought we deserved recognition we would be taking glory from God, but maybe not. Maybe God receives much glory when his servant is recognized.
Look around you today…who’s gifting can you submit too, who can you recognize?
Tags: leadership, recognition, submission