This Week's Devo

 The Task and the Tribe

Daily Reading: Proverbs 27

Nobody likes a one-upper. You know who I’m talking about. That person who must always have a better story, a better accomplishment, or a better life. These one-uppers are exhausting to be around and, quite frankly, completely invalidating. Any victory you choose to share becomes minimized and invalidated by their incessant need to be praised, their need for validation.

“Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth – a stranger, not your own lips.”

-Proverbs 27:2

The truth is, in our human condition we all tend to be one-uppers at times. For some reason, the satisfaction of a job well done, or accomplishment achieved isn’t enough. We want recognition. We want praise. And so, if we don’t sing our praises, who will?

Oh, sweet Wisdom. Her gentle instruction today reminds us that it isn’t about praise at all. It’s about the job well done and the community built during the process. There is a fine balance here that only Wisdom can help achieve. On one side of the scale, we find the job before us—the very task God has laid before us to accomplish. On the other side of that scale, we find the community with which we share it. When the task before us weighs heavier in the balance, we lose the joy of community, friendship, and opportunities to grow and learn. But, when our community weighs heavier, our God-given purpose is quickly swallowed up by the desire for human validation.

The Task Before Us

Every individual task given us by the Lord rests on one foundational task—walking in Wisdom. As believers, we are called to walk in the instruction of our Lord by first standing in reverence of who He is. As we nurture our understanding of who He is, we begin to see, hear, and discern the voices that cry for our attention. The voice of Wisdom begins to resonate in our hearts as heeding her call brings life, joy, and deeper connection to our Creator—but the time comes where the nourishing voice of Wisdom calls us to move beyond the inner bounds of heart and mind and transform our outward actions with her refining touch. Thus, the task is given—perhaps the task is stepping out in faith for something big, standing for truth when it’s unpopular opinion, or providing direction that requires gentle rebuke. It could be something as simple as inviting a friend to church, or as complicated as aeronautical space engineering. No matter the differences between tasks, each is given with one purpose—bringing glory to our Heavenly Father. God isn’t calling you to simply extend an invitation or even launch the next space expedition, He’s calling you to brilliantly reflect Him as you do.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

-1 Corinthians 10:31

As the crown of creation, we were made to glorify our Father in Heaven. It is our ultimate purpose, our intention on this earth. To fulfill this purpose, God provides each of us with a calling unique to the talents and intellect He’s formed within us. Every task within that calling remains anchored in our purpose. It’s gloriously simple.

Yet, in our human condition, these tasks that God sets before us become less about drawing all attention to the Creator and more of a measuring stick of our own accomplishment and value. We lose track of Wisdom’s gentle reminder that God’s glory is our purpose, and we begin to work on tasks for the pat on the back and the validation of those around us. The scales have tipped at the weight of the task that now defines us and threatens our identity if the end result doesn’t measure up to a sinful world’s standard. We work harder on the task at hand, losing the joy of reflecting the Savior and driving a wedge in the very heart of our connection to the Creator.

We desire to be assigned value and purpose based on the tasks we accomplish rather than being assigned tasks based on the value and purpose the Creator himself has placed upon us. We leave behind the comfort that He chose us and saved us, not because of our performance, but because He deemed us worthy. We walk away from the knowledge that we are His workmanship, created for specific purposes that He has already prepared for us to do. Our focus shifts from the voice of Wisdom’s gentle direction to seeking the validation we desperately desire—only, we do not seek it from our Creator, we seek it from sinful man. The scales once again tip, but this time the weight of the opinions and validation of those around us threaten the balance.

The Balance of Community

The desire to seek validation within the approval or recognition of man is human—but we must remember that human desire is never satisfied (v. 20).  It won’t ever be enough. Sinful humans will never be able to speak the language of your value or purpose. That is a language reserved only for the one who formed you, who chose you.

Yet, we cannot walk away from community—community at it’s core is a beautiful gift from the Creator. From the time of creation, God saw that it was not good for man to be alone, and the voice of Wisdom continually warns us against isolation. Without the connection of community, we lose the joy of relationship, the beauty of unity, and the strength that is forged as iron sharpens iron.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Community allows us to grow, to love, and to flourish in the purpose God created us for. Community provides the loyalty of a loving friend, the help of a neighbor, and the support of those who carry the same purpose (Prov 27:10). In community we learn how to engage in relationship—a vital understanding that allows us to engage with our Creator. Together, we learn how to walk in wisdom as we bear one another’s burdens, teach and admonish one another, and dwell in unity. It is where we find others who will sharpen us and make us stronger as they walk alongside us, challenge us, and encourage us.

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” -Proverbs 27:17

Community can be a beautiful source of strength and beauty, but when we push Wisdom from the driver’s seat, community can become an impossible burden to bear. Without Wisdom to balance our God-given purpose with the benefits of community we find ourselves sinking further into the empty desire for human validation—a desire that will never be satisfied.

Balancing the Scales

Our God-given task must take priority in our hearts, minds, and actions. All that we do must reflect the brilliance of the Creator and lead others to see His glory. But, we cannot do it alone. If we are to allow Wisdom to help us find balance between task and validation, between purpose and pride, we must begin with checking the motives that drive us to complete the task at hand. Are we simply looking for a pat on the back—a shout out of a job well done? Are we failing to offer encouragement to others because we are so desperate to be the one-upper?

It’s time to let go of the need for validation from man and instead, find your satisfaction in the job well done, knowing that your Creator has called you to do everything you do for the glory of God.  If praise is to be voiced, let it be from others, not yourself. Let your work speak for itself and reject the need to be the one to draw attention to it and praise it.

Make no mistake, this may not always be easy. Especially if you feel others stepping in trying to take credit for what you’ve done or taking for granted the hard work you’ve put in. Just remember, at the end of the day the only thing that matters is if what you did was for God’s glory. If it was done for yourself, then it’s time to step back and check your motives.

It might also be time to consider your community. Are you trapped in a pit of one-uppers that feed the need to be better—to be enough? If so, it’s time to trade in that tribe for one that reflects God’s design as a joyful and life-giving beauty in your life that offers strength and challenges you to look more like Jesus, reflect Him more brilliantly, and draw all others to see His glory. We may not be able to choose the tasks God sets before us, but we can choose the community we do them with.

Let God direct hearts, minds, and tongues to sing your praise if He indeed wants it sung. If no praise comes for your work, it’s ok—your value is still intact, and your purpose still solid. God sees what you are doing for the Kingdom. God gives the treasure in due time. God sees the bigger picture and knows just what he’s doing. The question is, do you trust him enough to let go of the human desire for praise? After all, it isn’t about you.

Refining Reflection Questions

1. When you think about the tasks God has set before you, do you see them more as opportunities to glorify Him or as opportunities to prove yourself? Why?

2. Proverbs 27:2 reminds us to let others praise us, not our own mouths. What might it look like for you to let your work “speak for itself” this week?

3. In what ways has your community sharpened, encouraged, or strengthened you in your walk with the Lord? Can you identify someone who embodies Proverbs 27:17 in your life?

4. Are there areas where you’ve allowed human validation or recognition to tip the scales of your motives? How might you invite Wisdom to rebalance your heart?

5. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a community that reflects God’s design—a tribe that encourages you towards purpose, joy, and Christlikeness?