A desire for recognition is not a bad thing. We all find encouragement when recognized for an accomplishment. Paul knew this. Just read Romans 16. He often gave shout-outs on behalf of others.
However, such desire can move from the realm of the healthy into the realm of darkness. We begin to seek recognition for self-exaltation. Pride drives our desire. Me first! Me first! Look at me! Look at what I’m doing!
It is not good when the Kingdom is about me.
I read an article from Time with the headline, “The Guy Who Plays Chewbacca in Star Wars has been Hospitalized for Pneumonia.”
While I’m thankful he is expected to make a full recovery, I could not help but wonder about the wording of the headline.
Why not, “Peter Mayhew has been Hospitalized for Pneumonia”?
If I told you about Peter Mayhew, would you have known his claim to fame? Of course not (for most of you).
Now, Chewbacca on the other hand….
I’m guessing since the 70s Mayhew has lived with being known only as the guy who played Chewbacca. I’m also guessing that such has not been a problem.
He starred in a blockbuster trilogy that made history and broke records on numerous levels.
He became wealthy.
Toys were made in his character’s image.
Chewy will always be an icon.
Star Wars was so much bigger than one person. Mayhew knew this.
We live in the age of Me–the star. The star teacher. The star physician. The star chef. The star mechanic. And yes, the star minister.
While Kingdom history is filled with known names such as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, John, and Peter, it is filled with even more unknown names.
We only know them as:
- the unknowns who planted the Antioch Church (Acts 11:20-21)
- the unknowns who wandered in deserts and caves (Heb 11:38)
- the unknowns who rest under the altar since their martyrdom (Rev 6:9-11)
Just a bunch of unknown people. A bunch of guys who are unknowns to us, but great in the Kingdom.
Are you okay if no one knows your name, but only your service?
The guy who…taught that class.
The gal who…led that group.
The guy who…pastored that church.
The gal who…served that people group.
If we are unworthy servants (Luke 17:10), then we should not be troubled if no one knows our names. It’s His Kingdom. We should be satisfied and thankful with being the guy who played Chewbacca. Though others may not know us, He knows our names and wrote them in His book before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8).
He wrote down our names.
He did not write down, “The guy who…” or “The gal that…”
He wrote down our names. Why can’t this be enough for us?