My Dear Friend,

Being appreciated for who we are and what we do is a very precious thing. Whether we acknowledge or deny it, it is there and we want it. The question is, where will we seek recognition?

The Pharisees loved the praises of men more than the praise of God – and got exactly what they wanted. But nothing more! Jesus concluded they had sold themselves short, “They have their reward [already]” (Matthew 6:5), and so had nothing further to look forward to from God. We should be different.

In seeking God’s recognition, we must understand He often denies us men’s approval, and may delay showing us His approval, in some cases for a long time. Years may pass before we hear, and others sense, His “Well done!” spoken over our life (Matthew 25:21, 23). But we must realize, He never forgets anything we do to please or serve Him. Never! His angels record every worthy work, every willing sacrifice, every choice to patiently endure trying people, every decision to persist in serving Him in the calling He has assigned us despite being unrewarded, slandered, or ignored.

So whatever you may think, feel, or dread about your unrecognized good deeds, one thing is certain: they are written!

Needing appreciation and recognition innately, we all seek it, either from God or from people. If the latter, we’re often discouraged when we are overlooked or puffed with pride when we are recognized. If the former, however, we may rest whatever our situation. Why?

As stated, all our good works in Christ are written before Him. Two biblical characters, Mordecai and Joseph, illustrate this.

When Mordecai saved Xerxes from assassination, “It was written…before the king” (Esther 2:23)—but Mordecai was neither recognized nor rewarded. Not only so, his bitter adversary, Haman, was soon afterwards promoted to high office and honored! Mordecai very likely felt unappreciated or written off. But he was just the opposite: appreciated and written! Angels had faithfully recorded his good deed in heaven. Later God prompted Xerxes to discover and reward Mordecai at the most opportune moment, when it brought a glorious deliverance, tremendous encouragement, and great blessings to not only him but also all the Jews in Persia (6:1-10)!

Joseph’s hidden ministry of caring for, exhorting, and interpreting the dreams of Egypt’s most underappreciated ones – prisoners – also seemed utterly underappreciated and written off. Not a living soul realized the dedication, diligence, and excellence with which Joseph served the king of Egypt’s detainees for the King of heaven’s sake (Genesis 40). But one day, in God’s time, Joseph’s good works came to light. And God’s time was the right time. Pharaoh’s butler recalled Joseph’s amazing gift of interpretation at the very moment Pharaoh desperately needed an interpreter (Genesis 41). As a result, not only was Joseph saved, but also all Egypt, many nations, and even Joseph’s estranged family!

Most Christians, including ministers, often feel forgotten. But God’s Word says otherwise: “God is not unrighteous to forget” (Hebrews 6:10). All our good works are written in heaven, so we can rest in Christ’s recognition. He promises, “I know thy works” (Revelation 3:8). What a comfort this is! And how inspiring!

This very moment, while you feel overlooked, underappreciated, and written off, your every decision to honor Christ is written before Him—and reserved for recognition and reward in His time and way (Psalm 9:18). And His time will be the right time.

So, work on faithfully in your calling, my friend, fully appreciated by Him – no longer written off, but written!

Working on!

Greg Hinnant
Greg Hinnant Ministries