Community Means Giving Credit

There is a section of Romans 12:10 (the ESV translation) that talks about outdoing one another in showing honor. When it comes to the work that we do and the world that we live in, more often than not we find ourselves experiencing the opposite of this Scripture.

• Someone else takes credit for our idea.
• We’re encouraged to climb the corporate ladder at any cost.
• We’re excluded from places that preach community.
• We watch the big names, the famous ones, the popular people appear over and over again wondering when it might be our turn.

When it comes to holy hustle, community means giving credit where credit is due. Publicly thank your assistant/virtual assistant for making sure everything you do runs smoothly and efficiently. Have an amazing editor who helps make your words shine? Make sure they know how much they mean to you. Look for the people you interact with at church, at work, at home, and ask God to show you what they’re doing behind the scenes that no one has ever noticed before – and thank them.

Community also means learning to listen to God so you can hear when He wants you to say “no” so someone else can have an opportunity God has prepared them for. There is an episode of Elena of Avalor (Disney Junior is our life right now) where Princess Sophia is told by a spirit guide (long story) that “Just because you’re the one doesn’t mean you’re the only one.”

Holy hustle means chasing hard after what God has called you to do to serve your community, but it doesn’t mean you’re the only one. Outdo one another in honor. Pull out the best in those around you and don’t be shy to share someone else’s amazing gift with the world. And, by saying “no,” give them the chance to be “the one” this time.

Community means inviting others in. When it comes to this blog, I like to be able to do everything myself. I designed the pages, installed the theme, update the plugins, create the images, write the words. But I’m learning to look at the people God has brought into my life because of this blog and invite them to be part of this space. It’s why December was full of guest posts, and why I’m working with an incredibly talented friend to create something new for all of you. We don’t have to do it all, we don’t have to do it all on our own, and when others rise up to combine their talents with ours, let’s honor them. Give credit where it’s due. Recognize them publicly. When we hustle to show honor to others, they win, we win, and – most importantly – God wins.

Be a light to your community today and show the world what it means to work well, with honor.