By Elaine Vitikainen
A secular client I was working for recently kept mentioning the word ‘prestige’. She said that there is no pressure and no prestige involved. I found prestige a strange word. I’d never really thought about prestige in relation to my work. I had never seen myself aiming for prestige.
I like to think that prestige is not really an issue for me. I know I can only do what I do because God has enabled me to do it. Everything is only made possible with God. Am I too naïve? It made me ponder the verse: “But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:24)
As I reflected on this verse, I realised that I was not immune from the trap of prestige. After all, do I not really look for prestige when I show people my graphic art work? Do I not aim for prestige when I talk about my work to others?
This week, think about the work that we do. How much of our identity, our sense of self, is tied up in what we do? At what points does a desire for prestige quietly creep in?
spaceforgrace.network 
Thank you Elaine for your willingness to be vulnerable about this, which enables me and others to also be more vulnerable and real. I think there is a danger for those of us who are Christians to think we are immune to some things, which if we are honest we are not!
Many thanks, Richard for your kind comment. This is really true and it is important to be aware and be reminded of this. If you have a Weekly Thought to follow up on this topic, please don’t hesitate to be in touch with us. Thanks!