I have a secret (at least I like to think it is a secret) hunger for praise. In fact, some days I day-dream of being told how great I am. I crave being affirmed and rewarded for my creativity, leadership and endurance. I can get through my day once I hear those words, 'Derrick, You're just great!'. I'll walk a little taller when someone comments on how unique an individual and leader I have become. And Heaven...it will be that day when Jesus looks at me and says, 'Dude, you're were one awesome guy on earth'.
I am not the only one. You love being told how great you are. We all like pats on the back and being applauded for simply waking up this morning. It is common to the human experience. We all like praise.
Then I listened to this song...
It is the bridge that breaks me. There will be no one like You, no one besides You, You alone are worthy of all praise...
Reality Check for Derrick (and all of us): There is only one who can truly be called GREAT. Only One who is worthy of the affirmation, the reward, the pat and the applause. Jesus is the only great one.
My energy in worship is based on whether I am good with that reality. What if no one ever said, 'Derrick is great' again because they met Jesus? I mean, there would be no comparisons.
What if my future wife and kids could never honestly say that I was an awesome husband/father because they met Jesus and found out the truth? What if the folks who listen to my messages and worship under my leadership were so captivated by Jesus and His greatness that they forgot to tell me how awesome I was?
Am I offended that the terms 'great', 'awesome', 'worthy', 'deserving', and 'unique' really belong to Jesus. Do I feel cheated to know that He will not and cannot share these titles with me?
Worship is bowing my ego down before the beauty and majesty of Jesus and declaring 'there is no comparison and I have no right to receiving praise...only Jesus deserves that kind of attention.'
I will find my place, my peace and my satisfaction in the daily, sacrificial and personal exaltation and worship of Jesus.
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