Even though the guy being paid to write about the game that day overlooked Ken’s record-setting performance, there were others who took note. For one, an NFL scout working for the Buffalo Bills. He noticed Ken’s play, as did other key Buffalo personnel, and they began to follow his collegiate career. Irvin was eventually selected as the Bills’ fourth round pick in the 1995 draft. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, retiring in 2005.

Ken’s story reminds us of the importance of right recognition. Getting overlooked by the local paper? Annoying, but no big deal in the grand scheme of things. Getting overlooked by representatives of the NFL? A big deal indeed for the man who wants to play professionally. Given the choice of who’s paying attention, most college players would prefer the NFL scout, hands down.

In your work, you need to seek the right recognition for your efforts. It’s not from those who can only offer praise and only inflate your pride. It’s from the One whom you’ve committed yourself to serve, to honor, to glorify. He’s the one whose attention you need, his is the only recognition that matters.

The good news is that he notices what you do, even when no one else does. The prophet Azariah counseled Asa, the king of Judah: “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7)

Paul echoed these words in his letter to the Galatians. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

God is paying attention. He sees what you accomplish even when no one else does. And he will see to it that a harvest comes your way. Rather than playing for those in the stands, rather than performing to impress the press, seek to gain God’s approval in all you do.

Havens has always tried to be a good husband. He worked around the house, took care of the yard, carried out the trash, and even helped with the dishes. One day his wife complained that he wasn’t doing it right, and Harry decided that enough was enough. He said, “All right, if that’s how you feel, I’m going to bed. I’ll stay there for the rest of my life and I don’t want to see you ever again.”

Harry went to bed, put a blindfold over his eyes, and stayed there. He finally got up again when the bed started to feel uncomfortable…seven years later.

The article’s headline states, “Man Spites His Wife By Staying Blindfolded in Bed Seven Years.” Maybe his exile did get on her nerves somewhat, but who did Harry really spite? Who was the biggest loser in this extended temper tantrum? It was Harry himself. He lost seven years of his life. He lived seven years in darkness. No reading. No walks in the sunshine. No laughter with friends. Just seven long, miserable years trying to settle a score that maybe was never settled.

The writer of Hebrews said, See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:15)

Bitterness can damage a relationship, true. Most of all, it damages you. It destroys your happiness and peace of mind, and it causes you to miss out on the grace that God offers to each of us.

It reminds me of what Nelson Mandela once said: “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”

It took Harry Havens seven years to decide that his refuge of bitterness felt uncomfortable. How long will you wait to let your bitterness go?

How do you put your heart in your work? By remembering that the result of our good work isn’t just a bigger crowd on Sunday or a well-organized church picnic or a well-deserved raise in pay. The result of our good work is changed lives that reap the benefits of eternity.

For this reason we need to remember the words of Paul…

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand.

It only makes sense that he says next …

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

There is a close connection to what we think about and what we feel, a close connection to what we think about and what we want. Focus on the eternal results of your work, not the temporary frustrations. This will help you set your heart and your mind on things above.

Britain’s Supreme Court wasn’t fooled. They declared that Pringles — which consist of more than 40% potato flour — are, in fact, chips. And being potato chips, Pringles now owes about $160,000,000 in taxes. Of course, I don’t suppose you can blame P&G for trying.

The truth is, we try to do the same thing. We spin bad habits in order to justify bad behavior. The workaholic calls himself committed. The perfectionist says he has high expectations. The tyrant claims to be a great leader. The man with a brutal temper claims that he is intense. The miser claims he’s frugal. The greedy man claims he’s driven. The bully says he’s assertive. The lazy man calls himself laid back. And so on.

Shakespeare said, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” And that which we call a potato chip by any other name still tastes something like a potato. And any other name we give to sinful behavior still does the damage that only sin can do.

Paul wrote to Titus, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” (Titus 3:2-3)

He saying that we need to do good and do it in a good way. Let’s not try to repackage hurtful attitudes, pretending they’re actually virtues. Let’s be honest with honest with ourselves and with others, and seek to do good in a good way.

We are all driven by one appetite or another, one hunger or another. Which one is driving you today? The hunger to provide for your family? The hunger to succeed? The hunger for recognition?

Or the hunger to make a difference in eternity? The hunger to please God? The hunger to change lives?

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) Let this be the hunger that drives you today: The hunger to do good, the hunger to be good.