Jesus told his disciples, “A prophet is not honored in his own hometown.” He’s saying a guy can have his act together and be someone worthy of respect, but he just won’t get it from his own people. A guy can have all the right answers, but his neighbors won’t give him the attention he deserves.
In an interview, recently, Martin Scorcese told about a conversation he had with his daughter. She told him (in reference to making a movie), “you should find what people like and make a movie about that.” Obviously Little Scorcese isn’t a fan of her father’s movies. A prophet is not honored in his own hometown.
This can be a source of much frustration, especially for creatives. We crave admiration, but we often don’t get it from the places we want it most. It’s easy for creatives to assume their friends and family don’t appreciate them. It’s easy to disconnect and get frustrated—especially working in a church. Church work is already a thankless job. Couple that with the hometown prophet effect, and it can get discouraging.
Some creatives even get resentful. Some hop from project to project–seeking new appreciation. We become like appreciation junkies, jonesing for our next fix. Each new project offers a temporary high, but it eventually wears off as you become the resident hometown prophet.
Check your attitude if you’re experiencing this phenomena on a sustained basis. It’s natural to seek approval. But, not to be trite, our self worth should not come from the people we work with. It should ultimately come from Above. If we are constantly seeking people’s approval, we will be let down a lot. But if we are consistent and steady the rewards will be worth it. The recognition will come.
Persevere and be encouraged. Even the greatest among us are not appreciated by their own as much as they should be. There’s no escaping that. But that’s not why we create. Create for something greater than admiration.
Great post man…I needed it!
I think if we didn’t need this we’d be dealing with apathy. You’re not alone. We all feel it. 🙂
Great post man…I needed it!
I think if we didn’t need this we’d be dealing with apathy. You’re not alone. We all feel it. 🙂
Seriously what I needed too! Thanks for everything you do… I really appreciate you 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Seriously what I needed too! Thanks for everything you do… I really appreciate you 🙂
Thanks! 🙂