Daily Devotional

Growing up, one of the things I loved watching was baseball. I often saw players hit home runs or make incredible plays and then point toward the sky to give thanks to God. Because of this, I began to believe that being successful meant having a good relationship with God. When I struggled in sports, I became bitter and angry toward God, believing He didn't care about me as much as He cared about others. Looking back, I realize that I didn't necessarily want a relationship with God. I wanted success, recognition, and a life where people celebrated what I could accomplish.

Even in ministry, I sometimes struggle with this same mindset. I look at how many students attend Junior High Ministry, how many connection cards we receive, how many people participate in life groups, or how many new groups we can start. Success can become addictive. When things go well, I feel accomplished and important. When they don't, I can become discouraged because I'm not receiving the recognition I desire.

God has been revealing these patterns in my heart and teaching me to seek His glory rather than my own. One passage that has been particularly encouraging during this season is Luke 10:20.

At the beginning of Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God. When they return in verse 17, they rejoice because even the demons submit to them in Jesus' name. They are excited about the incredible things they have accomplished!

Jesus responds by reminding them of His authority over Satan and the powers of darkness. He isn't trying to humiliate them or diminish their joy. Rather, He is helping them understand that their authority and success come from Him.

Then, in verse 20, Jesus redirects their attention toward something far greater: “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus reminds His disciples that their greatest reason for rejoicing isn't what they have accomplished for God, but what God has graciously done for them.

How often do we forget this?

Sometimes, we make our relationship with God about what we accomplish rather than about the Savior who redeemed us. We measure our spiritual lives by how often we read Scripture, how many service projects we participate in, or how consistently we pray.

These are wonderful practices, but they aren't the foundation of our salvation. Our greatest joy should come from knowing that Jesus Christ has saved us through His life, death, and resurrection. We belong to Him not because of our accomplishments, but because of His grace.

Our lives were never meant to be lived for our own glory, but for God's alone.

I sometimes catch myself imagining that if I become successful enough in ministry, people might recognize my accomplishments. Perhaps one day, my name might even become well-known among Christians.

But God has been teaching me something different: faithfulness matters more than recognition.

Perhaps I will spend my entire life serving in a quiet ministry where relatively few people know my name. Perhaps my accomplishments will never receive widespread attention. And that's okay.

Because the greatest joy I could ever experience isn't having my name recognized by others. It's knowing that, through Jesus Christ, my name is written in heaven.

So whether we experience tremendous success or walk through seasons of disappointment, we have a reason to rejoice that circumstances cannot take away.

Rejoice not in what you have accomplished for God, but in what God has accomplished for you through Jesus Christ.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.