Good Without Applause

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“Let everyone try how good he is, not by excellence, nor by the way he will be rewarded by others. Every religion has an unconscious form of ‘earning.’”

Reflection

This line stopped me in my tracks.

If I’m honest, there are moments when I serve, lead, give, or sacrifice—and somewhere deep inside, I’m still waiting.
Waiting for affirmation.
Waiting to be noticed.
Waiting for someone to say, “You did well.”

And when it doesn’t come, something in my heart sinks. I start questioning my value, my effectiveness, even my obedience. I don’t always say it out loud—but sometimes I want affirmation to tell me that what I did mattered.

This reflection confronted me with a hard truth:
Even in serving God, I can unconsciously try to earn worth—through excellence, productivity, faithfulness, or recognition.

Not because I don’t love God.
But because parts of my heart still believe I am only “good” when affirmed.

Testimony

This hit me hard because I realized how subtly I can tie my identity to outcomes:

• When people respond positively, I feel secure.
• When they don’t, I feel unseen or unsure.
• When affirmation is absent, I quietly wonder if I failed.

Yet God began to gently remind me:
My goodness before Him was never measured by results, applause, or even visible fruit.

Jesus Himself was fully pleasing to the Father before He performed a single miracle.
Before ministry.
Before public affirmation.
Before the cross.

Truth to Hold

Goodness is not proven by excellence.
Worth is not validated by recognition.
Obedience is not sustained by applause.

If my peace rises and falls on affirmation, then affirmation—not God—has become my reward.

And this is where grace meets me.

God is teaching me to do what is right even when unseen,
to love without being applauded,
to serve without needing to be affirmed,
and to rest knowing that being loved comes before doing anything well.

Prayer

Lord,
Search my heart and show me where I still try to earn—
earn approval, affirmation, or worth.

Free me from measuring my goodness by outcomes or recognition.
Teach me to rest in who I am to You, not what I produce for You.

When affirmation doesn’t come, remind me that Your gaze is enough.
Let my obedience flow from love, not from the need to be seen.

Amen.