Accolades

Written by cycleguy on January 23rd, 2013

I’ve been doing some thinking…which is very dangerous.  🙂

WHY DO I LIKE ACCOLADES?

Why do I like hearing “Well done” but not just from God?

Why do I like hearing “You’re the best” but not just from my wife?

Why do I like hearing “That was a great sermon!” (I looked in the mirror one Sunday)  😀

Why do I like getting pats on the back, notes of appreciation, little tokens of thanksgiving (keep those gift cards and goodies coming)?

I read this post and it started the whole mess.

I read this one by my friend, Daniel, and it put a smile on my face and a concern in my heart.

I read this one and realized the influence I/we all have.   (And yes, I’m prejudiced.  She is a lovely young woman).

There were more but those will suffice.  This thought process has been highlighted by something we I am not supposed to talk about…fasting.  I asked the church I pastor to take part in a month of fasting.  Choose a day and fast from something (food, media, sports, etc).   This week has been my week of taking part.  I am not saying that to draw attention to myself and get accolades (hence the thought), but to make a couple points.

Fasting is to be done in private.  I had people sign up, but the list is not published on the website or announced.  🙂  Unfortunately, I have had to tell several people due to the nature of my job and being with people.  Check out what Jesus thought about fasting here.

One other thing has hit me about fasting: it puts me in a physical place, and ultimately a spiritual place, where humility and weakness before God is a must.  That is the place I need to be.  A weakness and humility that drives me to get on my face before God.  I am/have nothing by which to commend myself.  NOTHING.   It reminds me that one of my greatest concerns is the influence I have on others.

SIMPLE QUESTION (without an easy answer sometimes):

CAN PEOPLE TELL I HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS?  DO I PROMOTE HIM?  TO BORROW A PHRASE: DO I BRING FAME TO HIS NAME?

That is the million dollar question that has confronted me during this time of fasting.  But, in reality, it shouldn’t take a time of fasting to get me thinking along those lines.  It ought to be a constant.

So I close thinking even more.  And I ask you: where are you on the accolade scale?  Can people tell? 

 

24 Comments so far ↓

  1. I wish that people could say that, but too often I don’t really think they could say it.

  2. Daniel says:

    A few specific times that I can remember in the last few years where I brought fame to His name in a way that made me feel like I was finally maturing as a Christ follower. Those feelings didn’t last long until I did something to unravel the whole ball of yarn. I wish my approach was more consistent.

    • cycleguy says:

      But there were those times Daniel. For that, you can be commended. You can also use those as the foundation for moving on. I too wish for more consistency.

  3. Jeff says:

    I like accolades. I am sure we agree that we don’t do what we feel is right in order to get accolades. Doing what is right has it’s own rewards. The passage you reference seems to indicate that the purpose of fasting properly is to get a reward. There must be other reasons.
    I think there are a lot of people that call themselves Christians that don’t really understand the message and end up bringing a lot of negative fame to the message when viewed in light of their sometimes bigoted, arrogant and judgemental practices. And they get accolades for it. Makes it difficult for the real believers.

    • cycleguy says:

      I would disagree that we don’t. Some don’t but some definitely do. And yes, there are other rewards. Isaiah 58 is a fuller chapter about the value and motive for fasting. I most certainly agree with you about the negative fame some bring to Jesus.

  4. floyd says:

    Ouch… Our pride is an ugly monster that feeds on the attention of others. I’m guilty, Bill… but I’m not guilty like I used to be. Thank God literally. If I’m called to be the ladder or footstool of one of my brothers or sisters in Christ to achieve His will, I’m honored to do so. To be in God’s will, where ever that is, is the place that brings peace and joy from our Father within… regardless of who knows us or acknowledges us.

    Thanks for the fasting reminder. I will fast to…

    Oh, checked out your daughter’s site. What a great blessing you and your wife have from God in that beautiful young lady…

    • cycleguy says:

      i can honestly say I am no longer the “glory hound” I used to be. There are still times I admit, but least it is not a driving force. Today is my last day of the fast and it has been a mixed bag. I may blog about that next week. 🙂 And I am sitting with tears in my eyes right now from your comment about Tami. Man, that makes a father’s heart feel good. Thanks my friend.

    • Tami Grandi says:

      I have tears too- thank you for your kind words. I feel like I am the one who is blessed. My parents have supported me 100% no matter what or where!

      • floyd says:

        Okay… I’ll admit it… I too have three daughters and when I read your dad’s reply… I teared up.

        Your dad has been like a brother to me… In fact he is my brother in Christ… A big brother with more responsibility…

        But you. You stand on who you are in Christ. And you look like my girls… and you have the same traits. That is an honor to any earthly father. May God continue to bless you and your family, Tami.

        • cycleguy says:

          That is great advice Floyd. Tami has learned over the years to accept who she is in Christ-a single woman who follows Christ. He has led her on an interesting trek and isn’t done with her yet. Sure you are as proud of yours as I am of my two. Thanks again.

          • Tami Grandi says:

            ugh- you all are killing me today- I didn’t need more tears 🙂 Thank you for your encouragement- I have learned on this journey- in life, in my pursuit for this healthy lifestyle, in my career that NOTHING helps more than the encouragement of someone who TRULY cares!

            • cycleguy says:

              You are absolutely right. Someone who truly cares gives careful consideration to what makes you tick and not their own agenda. Oh, I am surprised by the tears. Didn’t know you had it in you. 😛

  5. I sorta have varying “tastes” on the accolades. When I get called out in a larger group, I muddle through but it’s not my favorite. Hearing from an individual that something touched their life in some way is an incredible encouragement to me. As long as we don’t do what we do for the accolades, but instead for His glory–I don’t a problem. Like you said though, some things are not to be public as God wants to reward us Himself (like fasting). Man, if God wants to reward me for what’s done in secret, why would I blow it by trying to get people to praise me? Doesn’t make sense! Thanks Bill.

    • cycleguy says:

      There is actually nothing wrong with hearing praise in public. It is awkward for sure, but if handled correctly (by both) then no harm is done. Attention is brought to the ONE who deserves it. Private is okay as well, again, if handled correctly. It is not a springboard for pride. Good point about the private reward. Thanks Jason.

  6. David Rupert says:

    I think fame or popularity is God-given only in very small portions upon our world. The truth is, that not many of us can handle it. When my blog gets 100 hits in a day, I think I’m Super-Christian-Man and I start looking for the tallest building to fly to. Being in your profession is tough. You want to know that what you are doing is impacting their lives — and still stay humble. It’s a tough gig!

    • cycleguy says:

      I never thought of it that way David (God-given in small portions) but makes sense. I avoid looking at stats for obvious reasons. 🙂

  7. Betty Draper says:

    Your post reminded me of this great song, I Am Nothing…

    Take these hands, lift them up
    For I have not the strength to praise you near enough
    I am nothing, I am nothing without you

    Take my voice and pour it out
    Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
    I am nothing, I am nothing without You

    Chorus
    And oh my soul needs, for your love to cover me
    So all the world will see
    For I am nothing, without you

    Take my body and build it up
    That it be broken as an offering of love
    For I am nothing, I am nothing without you

    Chorus
    And oh my soul needs for your love to cover me
    So all the world will see
    I am nothing, that I love you
    With all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind
    And all my strength I can find

    Take my time on this earth
    Let it glorify all that You are worth
    For I am nothing, I am nothing without you

  8. Debbie says:

    Thanks for getting us thinking about if others can tell we’ve been with Jesus.God bless you as you keep drawing closer to Him and reflecting that!

  9. Ed says:

    I admit, sometimes as an artist I love to hear the accolades of those around me, but at the same time I don’t really feel I need them because I know I can always do better.

    However, God deserves all our accolades, because He’s done it all, and done it right!

  10. Have you taken the Clifton Strengthsfinder test? One of mine is significance, meaning I need accolades from others basically. Well, not totally – but that’s a manifestation. So I feel you.
    I’ve tried to think of it in terms of wanting to matter. I think it’s a good thing to want your life to matter. The key is why and how you do that.