For many, the need to be recognized and acknowledged is real. In my own life I have struggled when I felt I should have been acknowledged for my accomplishments, especially when I have seen others recognized for theirs.
It is in those times; I have learned to stop and ask myself why it is important to me to receive recognition.
I have concluded it is because “the wonder of being known” is real. The feelings associated with it are often the only way we gain satisfaction for the things we do in life.
The question I have is, instead of being known, what if we found satisfaction in our service? What if we could find the same fulfillment in our anonymity as we do in our recognition?
Would our lives be different?
Oh, I believe they would. You see, if we do whatever we do for “the wonder of being known”, then we do it for the wrong reason.
Being known is a need many of us have and when we are not, we can become discouraged or disillusioned by our lack of recognition. This can become heightened when we see others receiving notoriety and acclaim for the very same thing we are doing.
The confusion associated with this truth can be hurtful and cause feelings of resentment to fester and grow. Ironically, how we respond to these emotions will have a profound effect on how are known.
Others who are watching us will judge our motives, which will determine what they think of us.
The question is, will we be known as a person with a massive ego, who serves for the acclaim they can achieve? Or, will be known as someone who serves selflessly, regardless of that acclaim? The difference is monumental and the way we handle “the wonder of being known”, will point to one of these paradigms or the other.
I have been in situations where I have witnessed others receive recognition, I felt should have been mine. Yet, I sat and believed, there is a reason I am not being recognized. The reason may be as simple as an oversight, or it could be those who know us do not believe we need to be acknowledged. Perhaps they believe we serve and receive our need to be known by our service.
Regardless of the reasons, “the wonder of being known” is real and how we deal with it is up to us.
I am not sure of the long-term effects of a life filled with a desire to be known, but I am sure the more we wonder about it, the more difficult our life becomes.
“The wonder of being known” can be satisfied when we realize we are already known and loved just the way we are!
1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
