TAKING CREDIT OR GIVING PRAISE

Psalm 136:1-9, 26
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by His understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights--His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. . . . 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

"There are two kinds of people," observed Indira Gandhi, former prime minister of India: "those who do the work, and those who take the credit."

I discovered this quotation on a Web site of nature photos. It was imposed over a beautiful picture of fallen autumn leaves. The caption read: "Taking credit for someone else's work? Well, that's like lying, isn't it?" It took a moment for me to realize the irony. The photographer was doing exactly what she seemed to be against.

After all, God is the one who did the work of creating the scene. The photographer simply noticed its beauty and captured it on film. Nowhere on the Web site did she give God credit for creating such colorful leaves or for arranging them in such a stunning way.

I'm ashamed to admit how many times I do the same thing. Strangers sometimes compliment me on one of two things--my hair or my coat. And I say "thank you," as if I did something deserving of praise. But I didn't.

The reason people notice my hair has more to do with what I don't do than what I do. I don't color it, curl it, or cut it. I simply wash it, comb it, and twist it into a cord on the back of my head. God deserves all the credit because He makes it grow.

I can't take credit for my coat either. It's a black, full-length, hooded raincoat that I wear whenever the weather is cool, even if it's not raining, because it covers everything. That means I can look good no matter what else I'm wearing. The coat was a gift I bought for myself when I was offered a new job. I didn't design it, and I couldn't have afforded it if God hadn't been so generous to me.

Instead of taking credit that isn't ours, let's give praise to the Person to whom it belongs--God. --Julie Ackerman Link

DESTINATION POINTS

* What compliments do I receive for which I need to give God the glory?
* How can I turn God's gifts into opportunities to praise and worship Him?

bottom line: God alone deserves all glory.

soul journey