Think about it. How many of us have plugged away on a project to meet a deadline, then watch someone else take credit for all our hard work? Maybe some of us shared a new idea with our boss or co-worker only to have them bring it up in a meeting like it was their own? What a downer! It is a lousy feeling to be overlooked and unappreciated.
We all want to be valued for who we are and what we do. When our contributions are not recognized we feel an emotional sting. I believe Jesus felt that sting when only one of ten lepers came back to thank Him for healing them. (Luke 17:12 -20)
Appreciation is more than just showing gratitude for someone. It is tied to thankfulness, yes - but it also means understanding what they have done. We realize the thought and energy put into what they do. Appreciating someone means we value their work. We have respect for them because of their actions.
Over the past couple of weeks I've had the opportunity to appreciate some of my co-workers in a way I never have before. I was the back up for one of them while she was on vacation. Sometimes we stay so wrapped up in our own little worlds we fail to notice what others are going through. We don't realize or totally understand exactly what is on their plate.
Becoming more familiar with all the tasks my co-worker did helped me gain a new appreciation for her. I made sure I told her when she got back to work. Actually, I ended up telling both of them how much I appreciated what they do.
God wants us to show appreciation for Him. He wants us to value Him as our creator. He is all powerful and merciful and deserves our praise. When we worship our God we are showing appreciation for Him and what He has done for us. How can we not appreciate the One who knows even how many hairs we have on our head?!
We should realize God knows us intimately and loves us ultimately. If we are faithful to Him -- obedient to Him, then we know He is always with us. God is truly good to those who love Him.
The Heavenly Father sacrificed His Only Son for us. Jesus voluntarily left Heaven for us to die for our sins. We can show our appreciation by putting God first in our lives always. “I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” (Psalms 9:1 NKJV)
The Lord also wants us to show appreciation for others. Paul often commended those who labored in the Lord's kingdom with him. One such example is found in Romans 16:3-4 - "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well." (ESV)
Expressions of appreciation are a form of encouragement. When we recognize and acknowledge the contributions of others we lift their spirits. Appreciation can empower someone to do more good works. A well-timed word of appreciation can mean the world to someone.
Words are so powerful and we can use our words to do so much good in the world, if we only would. Proverbs 10:11a says "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life." And Proverbs 25:11 tells us "A word fitly spoken are like apples of gold in a setting of sliver." (ESV) How wonderful it would be if would could be known for our words of encouragement and appreciation!
Expressing words of appreciation for one another promotes love and unity within a church family. We are actually commanded to use our words for God to build one another up. Even Christ's words from Matthew 7:12, often called the Golden Rule applies here. "So whatever you wish others would do to you, do also to them." (ESV) We know we enjoy being appreciated. If we understand this about ourselves, wouldn't we do well to remember to show appreciation for others?
Paul told the Thessalonians to "encourage one another and build one another up." (I Thessalonians 5:11a ESV) One of the best ways to build someone up .. to encourage them.. is to tell them you appreciate them for things they already do. People love to be acknowledged and appreciated. Hebrews 10:24 gives instruction to stir up one another to love and good works. I know of no better way to stir someone up to do good than showing them you truly appreciate what they have already done.
When Barnabas and Paul delivered the letter from the apostles in Jerusalem to the Gentile Christians in Antioch, it was one of great encouragement to those believers. The Gentiles understood that the gospel was meant for all. They were welcomed into God's family. Acts 15:32 says, "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers."
What a wonderful feeling it must have been to have the leaders of the church at Jerusalem accept them.
God wants the church to have strength and unity among its members. "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:5 ESV) If we are to be found pleasing to God, we will want to give others the same endurance and encouragement that He gives us through our faith in His Son.
Many, many verses tell us to love one another. When we love as God loves we want the best for them. The church is His family. We should long to glorify His name by building up His family. Appreciating one another is one way to show our love.
Paul warns in Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." What a powerful impact our words can have! We have a marvelous opportunity to serve God by showing our appreciation for others.
Each one of has an effect or influence on those with whom we come in contact on a daily basis. Showing appreciation for someone can be as easy as thanking the cashier at Wal-Mart for taking the time to double bag some of your heavier grocery items. Just a simple acknowledgement that you noticed their extra efforts can go a long way.
It is important to remember another admonition from our Lord and Savior. "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV). We must be very careful of our words.
What a difference we can make in someone's life if we show them we care by letting them know we appreciate them. It is one simple way to do good for others. By building one another up, we will all be stronger.
I leave you with one last verse: Proverbs 16:24: "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."
Christ above all things,
Robin
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