There is a commercial running on TV right now about a kid who is the kicker on his school’s football team. He doesn’t look the part and nobody believes him or gives him any respect. In the commercial he is laughed at when he tells a fellow student he is on the team, he gets crushed by a huge linemen sitting next to him on the bus trip to the game, he gets knocked down by a cheerleader as he runs onto the field, and he spends most of the game sitting on the bench with the mascot.

But then the coach gives him a call. It is the end of the game and he needs to run onto the field and kick the game winning field goal. The coach tells him that if he makes this field goal everyone will know his name.

We can get caught up in that in church. It seems that one of the most motivating factors we have is to be known by others. We are willing to work as a team as long as there is hope of getting recognition for it. That’s a temptation for all of us. Even pastors have a desire to be known by people beyond those who attend their churches.

But as Christians we are called to work together as a body for the sake of Christ. We’ve heard that before but it isn’t always easy to follow. We want the instant gratification of hearing the praise right here and now. We don’t want to endure struggles just for a pat on the back in some future eternal existence.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t recognize and encourage people when they do a good job. I’m saying that recognition shouldn’t be our motivating factor. We have a lot to do as a church and we need to work together as a team. But we aren’t doing it for earthly glory. We are doing it to one day hear our Lord say, “Well done, though good and faithful servant.” It’s time to get our priorities straight.

© 2006-2008 Zanesville United Brethren Church