I don’t have to look far or search long for someone who identifies sorely with the memory of feeling overlooked. Some describe the experience as hurtful and disrespectful. There certainly isn’t glory in the actualization of being ignored. That moment when you realize, in the grand scheme of things, you don’t matter to someone. Yet, our human desire to be seen and to keep up with someone else’s convoluted practice of self-glorification as the prescription to wellness in these uncertain times, oozes like an open wound that never heals and is sensitive to touch – sensitive to the touch and move of our Creator in our lives. Man says make up the rules as you go along, indulge in manipulation, hate your neighbor. God says have no other gods before Him, do good, and love your neighbor as yourself. God also advises us to resist self-glorification and to chase after the gift(s) He created within us while we were in the womb. “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:1).”

Chasing our precious gift(s) from God keeps us under His protection and guidance. We become in-sync with the one who created us and bound to the one who is actively forming us in fascinating ways to His likeness. Our importance to someone else becomes minute and does not compare to how God sees us. God says we matter in all of our transforming moments. The glory of those experiences belong to God. Take none for yourself but give all the glory to God, our Creator. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Revelation 4:11).”

Defy man and walk down the road less traveled, giving God the glory. Be well. Live well.

“Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)