We need a willingness to be unknown, uncelebrated, even forgotten for His name’s sake, a willingness to be ordinary and anonymous.  If I am unwilling to do that, can it mean that my service is really about me anyway?  Some of the best salt-of-the-earth persons are those who have lived their entire lives in anonymity without ever having a single moment of fame.  The Lord knows and notices His own and will reward all of His faithful ones. That is enough.

 Paul was treated, “In honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed;  as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 (NRSV)