You’ve worked hard, poured yourself into the project, sacrificed and finally it’s done. And it turned out good. No, even better than expected. In fact, you feel down right euphoric about it.
It dawns on you later as your own applause and the exhilaration begin to fade. You aren’t going to get acknowledged. Not for your big or little part, not for the work or the hours, not for the thought or intellect, not even for the creativity. Nada.
You, along with your accomplishments, are unacknowledged.
Today I began the book of Lamentations written by…oh wait, we don’t actually know who wrote the book. It is a book of the Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit, for heaven’s sake. One would think a name should be attached with some credits. I mean, someone deserves something, surely.
And although, indications point to Jeremiah as the writer of Lamentations, the uncertainty puts no name in lights. No billboards. No clapping in front nor behind the curtain.
Somewhere for thousands of unsung years, unknown authors of several different books in the Bible remain…unrecognized. They have no flowing signature under the title. Perhaps because the point of course, is not the person, but the triune God who moved their quills and dipped their ink.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)
As one who likes to write, I was struck today by the fact that there are unnamed authors of the inspired Word of God. Unknown by their readers, they are known fully by God. They wrote books of the Bible, yet God, the Author of each word and comma they marked, did not clearly tell us who “they” are.
“Give credit where credit is due,” we say, and it makes such sense to us.
James and John asked Jesus to remember them in His kingdom by flanking them one on the right and one on the left of His throne. They wanted name and position next to the future King.
Jesus replied, “You do not know what you are asking…” (Mark 10:38 ESV)
Somewhere, sometime, we’ve all gone unacknowledged. We’re acquainted with the “unseen” and “unappreciated” feeling that brings.
We like to be acknowledged. The value of our product and worth hinges so much on recognition. On being seen and noticed. On feeling valued.
Sometimes, God’s plan does not include that.
Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them;
You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:42-45 ESV)
“But it shall not be so among you…”
Jesus calls us to a different sort of acknowledgement than what the world seeks. We have ambitions. We have feelings. We want to be seen and known and respected. We want to be validated and esteemed by others. But the mark that sets us apart is our belonging to Him. His kingdom rules in us and He is worthy to be the pinnacle of all our desires.
And although we may feel overlooked at times. We aren’t.
Jesus sees us and knows us.
He acknowledges us as His own.
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:16-17 ESV)
God isn’t out for the big name or for the followers. He doesn’t look at success as we do, or count it out in coins or jubilant recognition. He isn’t impressed with those acknowledgements we desire from others, or the credit we might feel we deserve.
He knows His dear children, His heirs to the throne, and loves them fully with all of their significant insignificancies.
Before I delve into Lamentations, the thought of a book written by an obscure unknown pen, blesses my heart. It reminds me that He acknowledges me as His very own. He sees me. He knows every intimate detail of my heart and mind. He is acquainted with my joys and despairs.
Who I am belongs to who Christ is. And that alone is a marvelous thought.
God is interested in faithful obedience, sometimes noticed by others, and sometimes only by Him. He looks for those with the ink of His Word written on their hearts.
“Un-acknowledged,” in the overarching scope of God’s picture holds His purposes. I will trust confidently in Him, because He never misses a thing.He looks for those with the ink of His Word written on their hearts. Share on X
Gina Castell
Amen! ❤️ G