Search This Blog

Thursday, March 5, 2015

WHAT? NO APPLAUSE?

 

We like applause.  More and more, as a culture we seem to NEED it, and when we don’t get the public appreciation we think we deserve, things can get real ugly real quick. 

I’ve seen people go clean off on Facebook, ranting for paragraphs about “haters” who won’t like their brilliant status updates.  I’ve watched otherwise dignified award recipients implode onstage because the audience didn’t give a standing ovation.  And preachers----- a preacher who needs “Amens” and doesn’t get them can go from a spiritual leader to a bitter tantrum-throwing baby without changing his suit.
None of those people would’ve been able to stand Jesus.


You see, Jesus wasn’t a big giver of applause.

In addition to the 12 apostles, Jesus had a hand-picked group of 70 other disciples whom He ordained and sent out to preach, minister, and perform miracles in His name.   One day, they all checked in and gave their report.

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10: 17)

Now here’s where you expect Jesus to say, “Well done, good and faithful servants.  I applaud your success.”  But nope.  Jesus replied with a story about the time He threw Satan out of Heaven.    And then He said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10: 18-19)

Instead of scheduling an awards ceremony and issuing commendations, Jesus reminded them of their purpose in ministry and told them, basically, “Get over yourselves.  Just be glad that you’re saved.”

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10: 20)

Now, Jesus wasn’t against positive reinforcement.   In Luke 7:28, He called John the Baptist was the greatest of all the prophets.  In John 3, Jesus rejoiced at Nicodemus’ conversion.  A Roman centurion (Matthew 8:10) and a Gentile woman (Matthew 14:28) were among the people who received glowing public accolades from Jesus Himself.

But Jesus didn’t clap all the time, particularly not when what you did was the job God had called you to do.

Jesus rebuked the disciples because likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ (Luke 17: 10)

In other words, do your job and stop expecting applause for doing it.

It’s true that we all need encouragement.  But maybe that truth is less a description of innate human nature and more  description of cultured human weakness.

If the value of your service is determined by the recognition you get for doing it there will be irresistible pressure to modify your work to generate more recognition rather than to fulfill your mission.    You might stop telling the truth because untruths get more likes and retweets.  You might say what gets the congregation hyped even if it’s not exactly what the Holy Spirit wanted you to say. 

So, it’s good for all of us (including me) who serve God in public to check in with our Master and hear Him not clap but say:

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven!

---Anderson T. Graves II   is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Miles Chapel CME Church in Fairfield, Alabama;  executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO);  and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).

Subscribe to my personal blog  www.andersontgraves.blogspot.com .

Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
Follow me on twitter @AndersonTGraves 

You can help support this ministry with a donation to Miles Chapel CME Church.

You can help support Rev. Graves’ work by visiting his personal blog and clicking the DONATE button on the right-hand sidebar.

Support by check or money order may be mailed to 
Miles Chapel CME Church
P O Box 132
Fairfield, Al 35064


No comments:

Post a Comment